Investigating Elder Abuse Blog

Investigations / Neglect — No comments
24
Jan 12

Tale of Horrible Abuse in New Mexico

“Two women charged with neglecting a bed-bound family member who later died entered not guilty pleas Monday before state District Court Judge Fernando Macias in Las Cruces.
Her family found half of 86-year-old Maria Najera’s toes eaten by animals Dec. 20, 2010, injuries prosecutors have called “extremely horrific.” Najera was allegedly bed-bound, wearing a diaper, living in a medical bed in the living room of a trailer described by authorities as extremely filthy and smelling of urine, with holes in the floors where animals came and went at will.”

Financial Abuse / Investigations — No comments
17
Jan 12

Con Artist Wanted by California Police

Daniel Lee Chartraw is wanted by the Carmel, California police for domestic violence and financial elder abuse. Police say that Chartraw is a white collar criminal who creates Ponzi schemes to sell bogus gold shares.

If you have any information please call the Carmel Police at 831-624-6403.

Uncategorized — Comments Off
13
Jan 12

Bill to Enhance Penalty for Financial Exploitation of Elderly Introduced in VA

HB 409 Financial exploitation of elderly and incapacitated; penalty.
Vivian E. Watts |

Summary as introduced:
Financial exploitation of elderly and incapacitated; penalty. Provides that any person who knowingly exploits the impaired mental or physical capacity of an incapacitated adult or an adult (defined in the section as 60 years old or older) by deception, intimidation, undue influence, coercion, harassment, duress, or misrepresentation to use, obtain, convert, or take control of or endeavor to use, obtain, convert, or take control of the incapacitated adult’s or adult’s money, assets, property, or financial resources with the intent to deprive the incapacitated adult or adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the money, assets, property, or financial resources and to convert such money, assets, property, or financial resources to the perpetrator’s own use or benefit is guilty of a Class 5 felony. However, any responsible person or a person who has a fiduciary relationship with the incapacitated adult or adult who commits such a violation is guilty of a Class 3 felony. It is not a defense that the accused did not know the age of the victim.

Full text:
01/10/12 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/12 12101754D

News / Physical Abuse / Resources — Comments Off
20
Dec 11

Shelter for Elder Abuse Victims

This is a story from WCPO TV Cincinnati, Ohio which reports the opening of a shelter for elder abuse victims. The shelter, in Mason, is the first of its kind in the nation to operate within a long term care where elder abuse victims will receive legal and medical assistance.

Legislation — Comments Off
30
Nov 11

Push for Mandatory Reporting in Colorado

The Denver Post has a very good article about senior advocate 82-year-old Charles Carter and his work to pass a mandatory reporting law. Colorado is far behind other states in protecting elders. While Colorado law requires background checks for in-home health care workers the state has no law requiring mandatory background checks for nursing home employees.

Investigations / Neglect — Comments Off
21
Nov 11

Son Charged in Phoenix Abuse Case

Police say woman begged for food.

Police in Phoenix, Arizona have charged the son of a 90 year old woman with elder abuse after finding her living in deplorable conditions. What is equally disturbing is that neighbors reported the woman had roamed the neighborhood for at least two years begging for food and money. None of the neighbors bothered to call police.

Financial Abuse / Resources — Comments Off
11
Nov 11

Hotlines to Protect Elders From Financial Exploitation Open Up

Three hotlines are now available to provide information to help protect seniors from financial fraud and abuse.

The lines will be open from 9am until 6pm

General Finance Questions: 888-227-1776

Medical Questions: 888-303-0430

Financial Abuse Questions: 888-303-3297

Callers can speak with adult protective services professionals about elder financial abuse. They can learn how elders are exploited financially and what to do about it.

A number of states have joined with the National Adult Protective Services Association, Investor Protection Trust, the Financial Planning Association, Baylor College of Medicine, the Investor Protection Institute, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance to support the program.

Neglect — Comments Off
03
Nov 11

Acquittal in Richmond Abuse Case

A Richmond jury deliberated for two hours yesterday before acquitting Richard Lee Wallace of abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult in the death of his mother.

Kelli Burnett, one of the prosecutors who handled the case said “We did speak to some of the jurors afterward, and they agreed that he neglected her. But they were not convinced that he willfully neglected her.”

The defense was able to convince the jury Elsie Wallace hated doctors and had not sought medical care since 2001. The defense argument that Wallace did not recognize how severely ill his mother was before she died was enough to created reasonable doubt in the minds of some jurors.

Neglect — Comments Off
02
Nov 11

Horrific Abuse Trial Underway in Richmond

The trial of Richard Lee Wallace got underway yesterday with jury selection and opening arguments. Wallace is charged with abuse and neglect of a incapacitated adult (VA Code §18.2-369) in the death of his mother.

In opening arguments prosecutor Kelli Burnett described a situation where paramedics responding to the home shared by Wallace and his mother found Elsie Wallace’s body filthy and with bedsores containing maggots. According to medical testimony the cause of death was a bacterial infection in the blood caused by gangrene. The trial is expected to finish this week.

Financial Abuse / Legislation — Comments Off
26
Oct 11

Virginia Barrier Crimes Lacking

Offenses for which an individual has been convicted that would bar a person from employment as a health care professional in a nursing home or home care organization in Virginia are called barrier crimes. The Virginia Department of Health publishes a handy Barrier Crimes Guide to help employers and job seekers.

The list of barrier crimes is long and thankfully incudes crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, aggressive use of a machine gun, and setting fire to woods. What is most startling about the list is the lack of offenses generally associated with financial exploitation of the elderly. Offenses like forgery, identity theft, credit card fraud, larceny, embezzlement, and computer invasion of privacy. Virginia’s elected officials have left elders dangerously exposed to criminal con artists who seek employment and continue to steal from trusting seniors.