Judge denies request to suppress Broitzman’s statements in elder abuse case

Plea hearing scheduled for Friday

By Sarah Stultz

Albert Lea Tribune

August 24, 2009

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab has denied the motions made by Brianna Broitzman’s lawyer that his client’s statements to authorities be thrown out in the case of alleged elder abuse at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea.

In a written order filed Aug. 12, Schwab states Broitzman’s statements were not the result of custodial interrogation and that they were voluntarily given.

He defined custodial interrogation as “questioning initiated by law enforcement officers after a person has been taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom of action in any significant way.”

Broitzman, 20, faces 11 charges, ranging from fifth-degree assault, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, disorderly conduct and mandatory failure to report suspected abuse at the nursing home during the first part of 2008. Local authorities interviewed her about the allegations on May 6, 2008.

Help is available; just make that call

By Janet Lamb

August 20, 2009

It takes a community to protect Tennessee’s elders and vulnerable adults from being victims of abusive, exploitive and neglectful situations, and thanks to the state’s responsive and preventive programs, help is available.

While Adult Protective Services responds to and investigates reports of abuse, the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability and the Area Agencies on Aging and Disability administer and support prevention programs and services to keep seniors safe at home.

For those who find themselves in or aware of abusive situations, reports can be made anonymously by calling Adult Protective Services’ hot line at 1-888-277-8366 (8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday).

Senior centers provide a community support system for seniors for nutrition, community resources and assurance services. They empower seniors by educating them on the signs of abuse, providing a safe haven for activities and offering telephone reassurance for the home-bound. They allow vulnerable Tennesseans to remain in the public eye so that any signs of abuse can be spotted by staff or members.

The National Family Caregiver Support Program provides services for caregivers including information and assistance; training, support groups, individual counseling and respite care. These services give caregivers the help they need to prevent caregiver burnout and abuse to the patient. For information on this and other prevention programs call 1-866-836-6678 or go to www.tennessee.gov/comaging.

There is no single agency or organization that can provide all the needed services and protection that disabled and elderly adults require and deserve. It takes involvement and interaction from everyone to meet the needs of vulnerable adults: Listen … Believe … Act!

SOURCE: The Tennessean