by LaNia Coleman

The Bay City Times

June 25, 2009

Authorities claim an 84-year-old woman had to have her foot amputated because her 54-year-old son neglected her.

District Judge Stephen P. Carras has arraigned Jonathan P. Nelson of Midland on one count of first-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult.

The victim was taken to the emergency room at MidMichigan Medical Center – Midland on May 12 where staff reported she had a fractured ankle, open wounds on one foot and dried feces on various parts of her body, earlier reports indicated.

Nelson remained jailed on $250,000 cash bond. He is awaiting a Wednesday, July 1, preliminary hearing.

At that time, a judge will decide whether sufficient evidence exists for Nelson to face charges in Circuit Court.

First-degree elder abuse is a felony that carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.

Nelson is 16 months in to a five-year probation sentence for domestic violence, third offense, and attempted resisting and obstructing a police officer, state Department of Corrections records show.

He pleaded no contest to the charges in Midland County.

By Mike Sever

Record-Courier staff writer

It’s the same old see-saw — as the local economy sinks, reports of elder fraud and abuse are on the rise, officials say.

The number of elder abuse cases opened last year was 60 percent higher than in 2007, according to Cathi Rufener, family assessment supervisor for the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services. And, in the first quarter of this year, the department opened upwards of 70 cases.

A total of 210 cases of elder abuse were opened last year compared to 127 in 2007, Rufener said. How high the case load goes this year “probably depends on how the economy goes, how hot it gets this summer and how cold it gets this winter,” she said.

The department is working closely with the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, which has two investigators working with Adult Protective Services.

The close collaboration is important, Sheriff David Doak said. Caseworkers and investigators will respond together in serious cases.

“They are able to pick up those cases and run with them from start to finish,” he said. “If there is an in-house perpetrator we need to get on it right away.”

29th June 2009

A neighbour who stole a pensioner’s life savings after becoming his carer has avoided going to jail because of the forgiveness of his victim.

Serio Fernando, 57, took advantage of the trust placed in him by frail Raymond Jones after moving into his Telford Road, St Albans home as his carer by stealing more than £4,000 from his bank in a matter of days.

Mr Jones entrusted Fernando, from Portugal, with his bank card and between January 16 and January 29, Fernando stole a total of £4,569.78.

Fernando pleaded guilty to two counts of theft at a previous hearing, and was warned he faced immediate custody.

However, when he was due to be sentenced the court was told that Mr Jones had forgiven Fernando and wanted him to continue living with him and helping him.

The court was told Fernando had brought the elderly man “back to life”.

As a result sentence was further adjourned for an impact statement from Mr Jones, while Fernando, who had been bailed to a different address was allowed to return to Mr Jones’ home.

And at St Albans Crown Court on Friday, Recorder Philip Brook-Smith imposed a 51-week suspended prison sentence – the longest sentence that can be suspended.

Fernando must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work. No compensation or costs were imposed.

Panel focuses on the dangers of elder abuse

By Michelle Knight

knight@theacorn.com

Esperanza Boggs, 89, lost everything after her son, David Boggs, 51, set fire to their Camarillo home and killed himself on June 11.

Described by his mother as armed and dangerous, David Boggs had been under investigation for alleged elder abuse, accused of holding his mother a virtual hostage for years in their home and embezzling $211,000 from her.

He set the home ablaze shortly after Ventura County deputies arrived at the mobile home to serve him with court papers to move out.

Esperanza Boggs’ story, although more extreme than most, is familiar to social workers who deal with the increasing problem of elder abuse in Ventura County.

To help protect the county’s growing senior population, a panel of experts recently addressed how the elderly can protect themselves from abuse, financial and otherwise, during a discussion at the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks.

Marcy Snider, coordinator of Ventura County Human Services Agency’s adult protective services, said her agency received 2,100 referrals of elder abuse last year.

“This year, we’ll easily surpass that,” Snider said.

Social workers with adult protective services investigate neglect or abuse and connect elderly victims to resources in the community. The statemandated program is voluntary, free of charge and available to those 65 and older.

Many referrals to the agency involve caregivers not taking proper care of their elderly charges, Snider said. But financial abuse of seniors has become the No. 1 complaint in the past four months, she said.

Snider described an elderly woman in the East County who was lonely and befriended by a salesperson over the phone. Eventually the salesperson scammed her out of $50,000. Scam artists have duped money from retired teachers, lawyers and other well-educated professionals.

Family members and friends have also taken advantage of the elderly, Snider said. Caregivers have bought groceries for the senior but also for themselves and have filled up their gasoline tank on the senior’s credit card. The elderly person may have poor eyesight and not notice the extra charges on the statement. A friend or family member may steal blank checks from the bottom of the senior’s checkbook so they won’t be missed right away.

To report elder or dependent adult abuse, call the 24-hour hotline at (805) 654-3200.

To talk to Pollara, call (805) 654-2505.

Abridged

SOURCE: Camarillo Acorn – Camarillo,CA,USA

by Tom Rowley

July 01, 2009

A SENIOR carer brushed an excrement-smeared nail brush across the mouth of a care home resident.

Linda Platt also pushed another dementia sufferer, Tameside Magistrates heard.

She left court in tears after being found guilty of two counts of common assault against two residents in their 80s at Heritage House nursing home in Stalybridge. She denied the charges.

The court was told the excrement incident happened in the early hours of 30 November after one of the elderly residents had soiled her bed.

Under cross-examination from defence solicitor Richard Birtwistle, Ms Platt, 59 – who had worked as a carer for 25 years and joined Heritage House in October 2007 – told Tameside Magistrates Court: “She was screaming in her bed. She did not like her hands being touched or let anyone near her nails. I tried to talk to her and reassure her and explain in detail that her nails were dirty and demonstrate what I was going to do.”

She denied that the nailbrush had made contact with the resident’s lips. She admitted she had called her a ‘dirty girl”’ but this was not said aggressively.

But prosecutor Kirstin Beswick said Platt’s workmate Janet Judge was stood beside her and had a clear view of the incident. Ms Platt said her colleague must have ‘misinterpreted’ her actions.

Another workmate, Hazel Tetlow, complained that one week later Platt ‘manhandled’ another resident in a corridor at the home. Platt, of Warrington Street, Stalybridge, had denied she had pushed the resident.

Chairwoman of the bench, Hilary Healey, told Platt that magistrates found the evidence against her credible and cogent.

“We believe that the brush did rub against the patient’s lips but you did not ram or shove it in.”

Mr Birtwistle said Platt was on medication for depression and anxiety. Magistrates extended unconditional bail until a probation report is ready at the court on 20 July.

Platt declined to comment after leaving the court in tears.

A spokeswoman for the home said: “The health and safety of our residents is paramount and our stringent whistle blowing policies and procedures brought these matters to light. We welcome the verdict of the court, which sends out the message that the abuse of vulnerable elderly people will not be tolerated.”