“Despicable” Care Worker Stole From Elderly (UK)
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“Despicable” Care Worker Stole From Elderly (UK)
“Despicable” care worker stole from elderly
12th May 2011
A FORMER carer who stole money from two vulnerable elderly people has been branded “despicable” by her former boss.
Kelly Wright admitted stealing £120 each from a man aged 91 and a woman aged 81 – after she entered their homes in Malvern using a secret key code.
Wright, aged 26, of Moat Crescent, Malvern, admitted two counts of burglary when she appeared before magistrates in Worcester.
The court was told Wright knew the codes from when she had previously worked as a carer for Malvern-based Care 4 Me.
After the hearing, Brian Lee, director of the company, said: “I think it’s despicable of any person who is entrusted to look after the vulnerable to behave in this dreadful manner and to take advantage of them.
“It was through the assistance we provided she was identified and brought to justice.”
Mr Lee said Wright had been subject to full criminal and professional checks before being employed.
He has written to all his clients with a key code urging them to regularly change that code.
Matt Dodson, prosecuting, said the burglary on Friday, February 4, was of a 91-year-old retired doctor living alone in a bungalow.
He had been in his lounge when Wright called at his home at about 5pm and assumed it was one of his evening carers but later discovered £120 was missing from his wallet.
CCTV footage showed a dark blue Citroën Saxo at the scene, which led police to Wright.
In the other incident on Friday, January 14, the victim was an 81-year-old woman who received care in her home three times a day.
Mr Dodson said: “She was aware a girl had entered her bedroom. She said: ‘Who is it?’ and she said ‘It’s Jess’.
“She heard the female on the stairs and said she was quite frightened at the time. She discovered £120 had gone missing from her handbag.”
When interviewed by police Wright – who has no previous convictions – initially denied she had been to the two properties, but later admitted it.
Mr Dodson said: “She was asked why she did so and she said it was because she was in arrears with her council tax and had debts of £1,000.
“She said she felt bad about committing these crimes on vulnerable people and said she had contemplated suicide and had written a note while on police bail.”
Amer Hussain, defending, said Wright was not picked out at an identity parade and it was her own admission that led to the facts of the case coming to light.
He said: “She has expressed remorse to the police for what has taken place and is liaising with police to try and repay the individuals.”
The case was adjourned for sentencing on Tuesday, May 17, and Wright was released on unconditional bail.
SOURCE: The Worchester Mews
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Rochester Man Accused of Neglecting His Elderly Mother, 85 (UK)
By JOSH ROSENSON
April 20, 2011
DOVER —
A Strafford County Superior Court grand jury has indicted a Rochester man on felony and misdemeanor level offenses alleging he neglected his elderly mother.
Leo Gordon Carter, 55, of 12 Crockett St., was indicted on Class B felony charges of criminal neglect of an elderly, disabled or impaired adult and second-degree assault as well as a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.
According to a news release from the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, in July 2010, emergency medical services responded to Carter’s residence, where he was the sole caretaker of his 85-year-old, bedridden mother. The woman was found to be suffering from malnutrition, severe dehydration and infected bedsores.
The Attorney General’s Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, headed by Assistant Attorney General Tracy Culberson, is prosecuting the case, which was originally investigated by the Rochester Police Department.
“We see anywhere from three to five cases a year come in, where there is an allegation of criminal neglect,” Culberson said. “Our goal is to investigate and prosecute cases of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.”
Culberson said his unit also consults on similar cases being prosecuted by county attorneys across the state. He added that a grant has, over the past year, enabled the performance of statewide training for police and prosecutors aimed at increasing public awareness and “awareness among law enforcement and what to do when you see it.”
Culberson said Carter is not currently being detained, and no arrest was made, rather the case was a straight indictment. Carter is due to be arraigned on April 28 at 9 a.m. in Strafford County Superior Court.
An indictment is not an indication of guilt; rather, it means a grand jury has found sufficient evidence to warrant a trial.
SOURCE: Fosters.Com
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Jury Trial Set for ex-Police Sergeant Accused of Stealing from Mother (USA)
Jury trial set for ex-Salinas police sergeant accused of stealing from mother
May. 12, 2011
A former Salinas police sergeant is set to undergo a jury trial in a couple of weeks on charges that he stole more than $40,000 from his mother.
Jay Malispina, a 19-year veteran of the force, is accused of taking $40,600 of his mother’s money and transferring it to his own bank account for personal expenses, including gifts to her grandchildren, San Jose Sharks tickets, a cruise and home improvement projects.
The defendant is accused of committing the crimes against Karolyn Malispina between 2004 and 2008.
A total of 11 checks — ranging from $300 to $5,000 — are believed to have been written, signed and transferred to Malispina’s bank account, which was also listed under his then ex-wife’s name.
Malispina, who was with the Salinas police at the time of his arrest, has since retired from the department.
Today, Juliet Peck, his attorney, told Monterey County Superior Court Judge Terrance Duncan that the trial remains set for May 23. The case is expected to return to court on May 18.
SOURCE: The Californian
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Newport Carer Stole from Elderly to Fund Ex’s Drink Habit (UK)
Newport carer stole from elderly to fund ex’s drink habit
19th April 2011
A GWENT carer admitted stealing almost £1,700 from the homes of five elderly people.
Janet Forrester, 40, of Stamford Court, Newport, appeared in Newport Crown Court yesterday having pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft.
The court heard how Forrester worked as a carer for Greenbanks Homecare since July 2009 and had access to clients’ details and combinations for entry into their homes.
Forrester admitted stealing £712 from the home of Margaret Harding between August and September 2009.
On one occasion, Ms Harding’s daughter took out £100 for her mother to pay bills but later noticed £35 was missing from her purse. Forrester returned on another date returning Ms Harding’s walking stick and was invited in. Ms Harding, who was partially sighted, had mobility problems and arthritis, later realised another £10 was missing from her handbag.
Christian Jowett, prosecuting, said Ms Harding believed Forrester took the money because it always went missing when she was present.
Forrester also stole £425 from Frank Maras who had a pacemaker and suffered kidney problems. The cash was taken from a drawer and metal box in his house.
Forrester was suspended from Greenbanks and later started work for Crystal Cleaning Solutions and went on to steal £315 from 82-year-old Joyce Gardner, who had terminal cancer, in September 2009.
Ms Gardener’s niece gave her £300 in cash to add to the £40 already in her purse but £315 of this was missing after Forrester had been to Ms Gardner’s home.
On September 29, 2009, Forrester was working at a sheltered housing complex where she met Olive Thomas who was feeling unwell.
Mr Jowett said Forrester went to their home in what appeared to Mrs Thomas’ husband to be a nurse’s uniform.
He asked her to take a look at his wife and gave her £25 to get her some food supplements and £100 for cigarettes which they never received.
Forrester returned the following day and the couple realised £50 had gone missing.
The court heard Forrester also stole £26 and a £14 British Home Stores voucher from the home of 87-year-old Enid Taylor on October 1, 2009. The purse was found in a police car – dropped by Forrester when she was arrested.
Tracy Lloyd-Nesling said Forrester had been a victim of domestic violence and was expected to fund her former husband’s drinking and gambling habits.
She said Forrester is ashamed of what she did and understands the effect the offences had on the victims and those close to them.
Sentencing was adjourned until May 4.
Greenbanks Homecare and Crystal Cleaning Solutions declined to comment.
SOURCE: SouthWalesArgus.co.uk
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THE BIG ESTATE PLANNING QUESTION OF 2011
By: Fredrick P. Niemann a N.J. Estate Planning Attorney Should you exploit the new $5 million lifetime gift exemption? In 2010, Congress voted to give us all a $5 million dollar lifetime gift estate tax individual exemption. In addition, between married couples, upon the death of one spouse, the executor of the estate can elect to transfer any […]
Source: hnlawfirm.com
Haverford Nursing Home Loses License Over Elder Abuse (USA)
By PHILLIP LUCAS
April 30, 2011
The family of Lois McAllister, a 78-year-old dementia patient, used a hidden camera to catch nursing-home workers physically abusing her, making her stand partially naked in front of them, and taunting her when they visited her room in late March.
The 12-minute video prompted an investigation by the state Department of Public Welfare, and the agency yesterday stripped Sunrise Continued Care, the parent company of the nursing home, of its license to run the home.
Ronald Melusky, acting DPW director, said in a letter to the company that the investigation revealed gross incompetence, negligence and misconduct at the Quadrangle, the Haverford nursing home McAllister was living in when she was abused.
According to reports, the elderly population is a little less than a quarter of Michigan’s total. But crimes against them recently have been nearly one-third of the state’s total. Many elderly are lonely and happy to engage with friendly types. Some are more gullible and naive, even if they were less so when they had many more daily interactions with others.
Criminals see seniors as easy marks. Also, many relatives of seniors find it easy to take advantage of their elders. These individuals often see the older family member as merely a source of extra revenue. They don’t have the care and respect for the seniors that they should have.
There are metro area organizations, such as Citizens for Better Care, that can help identify abusive situations. Elder abuse educators provided by the Detroit-based organization work with long-term care staff, residents and their families to recognize and combat sexual, physical, emotional and financial abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment.
Elder abuse shouldn’t be happening. People are supposed to respect their aging parents and grandparents. However, the problem is pervasive throughout our society and anything that can help fight it should be instituted or utilized.
So, mom and dad – grandma and grandpa deserve all of the help we can muster.
–Courtesy of The Oakland Press
SOURCE: Philly.com
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