NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, July 29, 2013
The newsfeed includes articles and stories related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities. Articles related to elders appear in the top half of the newsfeed. Articles related to abuse of adults with disabilities appear towards the bottom. To subscribe to the NCEA listserv, please send an email with your name, occupation, your organization/agency name, city and state, and a statement about your professional interest or expertise in elder abuse to NCEA@UCI.edu. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
Did you know? A calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events and funding opportunities can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.
***************************************************************************************
ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1. ALABAMA (Etowah
County), Etoway County My Fox Alabama, July 26, 2013
Etowah Co. man indicted for allegedly abusing nursing home resident
http://etowahcounty.myfoxal.com/news/news/216413-etowah-co-man-indicted-allegedly-abusing-nursing-home-resident
Attorney General Luther Strange's office says that a former Etowah County
nursing home employee has been arrested for allegedly assaulting a resident.
The suspect, 44, of Altoona, was arrested July 24 and has been released on
bond. The suspect has been indicted for abusing a protected person, which is a
class C felony. The alleged abuse took place Dec. 26, 2012. If the suspect is convicted of the crime, he could face up to 10 years in prison
and up to $15,000 in fines.
2. ALABAMA
(Hoover), Al.com, July 29, 2013
Seminar on elder abuse, fraud prevention set for Hoover Senior Center
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/07/seminar_on_elder_abuse_fraud_p.html
State Rep. Paul DeMarco, R-Homewood, is serving as host for a seminar on elder
abuse and fraud prevention at the Hoover Senior Center on Aug. 9. The seminar
is designed to help senior citizens learn simple steps to protect themselves
from financial exploitation and identity theft.
3. CALIFORNIA
(Arcadia), Pasadena Star News, July 26, 2013
Elder abuse the focus of Government Affairs Forum at Arcadia Chamber of
Commerce
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_23741998/elder-abuse-focus-government-affairs-forum-at-arcadia
The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce will hold a Government Affairs Forum on Aug. 1
where 49th District Assemblyman Ed Chau will speak about legislation he filed
regarding financial elder abuse. Chau's bill - AB477- increases confidentiality
when it comes to reporting suspected financial abuse of elders. The bill also
gives mandated reporters the ability to present a claim to the California
Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board for reasonable attorney's fees
incurred in making a report.
4. CALIFORNIA (San
Diego), CBS 8, July 29, 2013
Know Alzheimer’s
http://www.cbs8.com/category/267543/know-alzheimers
Research indicates that people with dementia are at greater risk of elder
financial abuse than those without. For business owners this puts them and
their families at risk as well as their business entity and employees who rely
on them. Financial exploitation is a fast-growing form of abuse of seniors and
adults with disabilities.
5. FLORIDA
(Escambia County), Pensacola News Journal, July 27, 2013
Workshop targets scams against the aged
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130728/NEWS01/307280032/Workshop-targets-scams-against-the-aged
In an effort to stop scams targeting older residents, the Escambia County
Sheriff’s Office is joining forces with the Florida Department of Financial
Services to offer an Operation SAFE workshop on Thursday at the Bayview Senior
Citizens Center.
6. GEORGIA
(Athens), Online Athens, July 26, 2013
Athens authorities arrest man in 2005 elder exploitation case
http://onlineathens.com/local-news/2013-07-26/athens-authorities-arrest-man-2005-elder-exploitation-case
Eight years after Athens-Clarke authorities say a man and his wife stole more
than $11,000 from the man’s 93-year-old mother, he was arrested this week on
charges of exploitation of an elderly person and first-degree forgery.
7. ILLINOIS
(Paxton), Paxton Record, July 29, 2013
Man jailed over allegations he stole $20,000 from his elderly father
http://www.paxtonrecord.net/news/courts-police-and-fire/2013-07-29/man-jailed-over-allegations-he-stole-20000-his-elderly-father
A Piper City man remained jailed Monday on a $100,000 bond for allegedly
stealing about $20,000 in Social Security and pension payments from his elderly
father. The suspect was charged with one count of unlawful financial
exploitation of an elderly person.
8. MINNESOTA
(Austin), Albert Lea Tribune, July 26, 2013
Austin pastor pleads not guilty to swindling elderly dependent
http://www.albertleatribune.com/2013/07/26/austin-pastor-pleads-not-guilty-to-swindling-elderly-dependent/
An Austin pastor accused of swindling more than $40,000 from an 82-year-old
woman with dementia pleaded not guilty to all related charges in Mower County
court Thursday. He faces four felony counts of financially exploiting a
vulnerable adult.
9. NEBRASKA
(Bellevue), WOWT, July 29, 2013
Brother & Sister Face Charges For Allegedly Neglecting Elderly Mother
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/Brother--Sister-Face-Charges-For-Allegedly-Neglecting-Elderly-Mother-217393101.html
A Bellevue brother and sister will be arraigned in district court on charges of
neglecting their elderly mother. The 87-year-old was malnourished and living in
unsanitary conditions. Both suspects were charged with felony abuse of a
vulnerable adult.
10. NEBRASKA (Kimball), Star
Herald, July 29, 2013
Former Kimball man sentenced in embezzlement case
http://www.starherald.com/news/local_news/former-kimball-man-sentenced-in-embezzlement-case/article_a5964df2-f8a6-11e2-9048-0019bb2963f4.html
A former Kimball man will pay nearly $20,000 in restitution for funds he
embezzled from an elderly woman. Scott Haun, 50, agreed to a plea agreement on
charges of theft of property and attempted abuse of a vulnerable adult, both
Class I misdemeanors. The former Kimball City councilman had served for 18
months as conservator and guardian for the victim.
11. NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Portsmouth), Seacoast Online, July 28, 2013
Reports: Elderly woman in estate dispute had dementia
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130728/NEWS/307280346/-1/NEWSMAP
Four years before she endorsed a new will and trust, leaving an estimated $1.8
million in assets to a Portsmouth police officer, Geraldine Webber was
diagnosed with "moderate dementia," according to new evidence for a
court case disputing Webber's estate.
12. NEW YORK (The Bronx), New
York Post, July 25, 2013
Home-health aide indicted for allegedly stealing $55G from 98yo dementia
patient
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/home_health_aide_oSaVD4S6KzzxObx6uT9jaM
A home-health aide was indicted for allegedly withdrawing hundreds of dollars from
the victim's J.P. Morgan Chase bank account from an ATM on almost everyday from
May 31, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2011. The suspect was held on $15,000 bail for grand
larceny and criminal possession of stolen property charges. The victim was
diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. If convicted, the suspect
faces up to 15 years in prison.
13. NEW YORK (Poughkeepsie),
Record Online, July 29, 2013
Attorney William Flynn gets award from Mediation Center
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130729/BIZ/130729762
William Flynn, managing attorney of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley's
Mid-Hudson region, is the 2013 recipient of Champion for Elder Rights and
Safety Award from the Mediation Center of Dutchess County and its coalition on
elder abuse.
14. NORTH CAROLINA
(Burlington), The Times News, July 29, 2013
Burlington police help bust fraud ring
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/burlington-police-help-bust-fraud-ring-1.179297
Ten people from eastern North Carolina have been charged with more than 75
counts of defrauding seniors as part of Operation Nail It, ending a home repair
fraud ring that targeted seniors throughout central North Carolina,
investigators and prosecutors announced on Monday. The counts against the
suspects include obtain property by false pretense, exploitation of elderly,
conspiracy to obtain property by false pretense, and conspiracy to cheat.
15. NORTH CAROLINA (Raleigh),
WNCN, July 29, 2013
10 arrested for defrauding seniors in central NC
http://www.wncn.com/story/22960342/10-arrested-for-defrauding-seniors-in-central-nc
A task force of local and state government agencies charged 10 people with more
than 75 counts of defrauding seniors out of more than $300,000. The suspects
are charged with defrauding victims with an average age of 85, and face more
than 75 counts, including obtaining property by false pretenses, conspiracy to
obtain property by false pretenses and elder exploitation.
16. NORTH CAROLINA (Raleigh),
The Winston-Salem Journal, July 28, 2013
Bill provides financial protections for elderly
http://www.journalnow.com/business/business_news/local/article_e8766250-f89d-11e2-9739-0019bb30f31a.html
North Carolina financial institutions have more power to prevent the financial
exploitation of the elderly through laws included in Senate Bill 140, which has
been signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory. The new law requires all financial
institutions to report to appropriate authorities cases where there is
reasonable cause to believe a disabled adult over 18 years of age, or older
adult 65 or above, is the victim or target of financial exploitation.
17. NORTH CAROLINA (Raleigh),
Credit Union Times, July 29, 2013
North Carolina Gets New Senior, Disabled Financial Protection Law
http://www.cutimes.com/2013/07/29/north-carolina-gets-new-senior-disabled-financial?ref=hp
A bill now signed into law by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory will enable
financial institutions to protect older and disabled adults from financial exploitation.
The “financial exploitation of older adults” law was backed by the $26 billion
State Employees’ Credit Union of Raleigh, N.C., the North Carolina Credit Union
League, the North Carolina Bankers Association and the state’s attorney
general’s office. The new law requires all financial institutions to report to
authorities cases where there is reasonable cause to believe that a disabled
adult over 18 or older adult 65 or above is the victim or target of financial
exploitation, according to a statement released by SECU on Monday.
18. OKLAHOMA (Stillwater),
Stillwater News Press, July 27, 2013
Case continue on Stillwater woman accused of embezzling
http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x1538952219/Case-continued-on-Stillwater-woman-accused-of-embezzling
The case of a Stillwater woman accused of embezzling nearly half a million
dollars during her time as a legal guardian was continued until Sept. 27 by
District Judge Phillip Corley on Friday. The suspect was the legal guardian of
the victim, 89, from March 2010 to September 2012. During that time, the
suspect wrote and cashed approximately 180 checks totaling approximately
$500,000 from the victim’s bank account, according to court documents.
19. PENNSYLVANIA (Luzerne
County), Times Leader, July 29, 2013
AG, legislators warn of scams targeting elderly
http://www.timesleader.com/news/news/711982/AG-legislators-warn-of-scams-targeting-elderly
State Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, area legislators and members of the
Elder Abuse Task Force of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties gathered at Misericordia
University to discuss strategies for preventing older people from becoming the
victims of abuse, including scams to separate them from their money.
20. RHODE ISLAND (Scituate),
Providence Journal, July 26, 2013
North Kingstown woman, 49, charged with stealing $200,000 from her elderly
father
http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130726-north-kingstown-woman-49-charged-with-stealing-200000-from-her-elderly-father.ece
A North Kingstown woman was arrested Friday on charges related to transferring
more than $200,000 to herself while she had power of attorney over the affairs
of her father, who was in an assisted living facility. The suspect was charged
with larceny from a person over the age of 65, exploitation of an elder and
accessing a computer for fraudulent purposes.
21. TENNESSEE (Chattanooga),
Times Free Press, July 29, 2013
Broken trust: Relatives, friends most often behind abuse of elderly
http://timesfreepress.com/news/2013/jul/29/broken-trust-relatives-friends-most-often-behind-a/
Research nationally and in Tennessee shows that elders and the disabled are
increasingly victims of financial exploitation and that much of the time it is
family or close friends committing the abuse. A 2009 study by the National
Center on Elder Abuse showed 90 percent of overall elder abuse — physical,
sexual, financial — was committed by family members.
22. TEXAS (Corpus Christi),
KZTV 10, July 29, 2013
Van Cleve Dr. Woman Back With Family
http://www.kztv10.com/news/van-cleve-drive-woman-back-with-family/
A 93-year-old woman living outside her home due to her son’s hoarding and
neglect is back with family and doing well. Tines Sosa's house was overrun with
trash, tires, 22 mattresses and multiple couches that, she says, her son kept
dropping off at the house. After the story of her poor living conditions
spread, volunteers flooded the property to clean it up. For two days, people
hauled trash to the landfill and brought food and water to the home.
23.
WISCONSIN (Monona), WMTV, July 26, 2013
Rio woman arrested for fraud after allegedly exploiting elderly man
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Rio-woman-arrested-for-fraud-after-allegedly-exploiting-elderly-man-217105551.html
Monona Police have arrested a 25-year-old Rio woman after she alleged exploited
a 93-year-old man. The suspect was arrested for two felony charges of theft for
financially exploiting an elder, misdemeanor damage to property and two
misdemeanor counts of bail jumping. Police say the suspect met the victim in
the Monona Walgreens parking lot, and told him she was having problems with her
car and needed gas money. Officers say over two days, the suspect obtained more
than $1,000 from the man. She also allegedly used his vehicle during that time.
24.
INTERNATIONAL (Cork, Ireland), The Cork News, July 26, 2013
One In Three Elder Abuse Cases Occurred In The South
http://thecorknews.ie/articles/one-three-elder-abuse-cases-occurred-south-11702
One in three cases of elder abuse reported to the Health Service Executive last
year occurred in the South, with sons and daughters cited as the alleged
perpetrators in nearly half of cases. The HSE South, comprised of Cork, Kerry,
South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford, saw 902 referrals
last year, the highest of any region across the country. In total, there were
2,460 referrals made to the nationwide service in 2012, an increase of 7% from
data from the same time-point in 2011. In the South, there was a rise of 13% in
referrals for the same period.
25.
INTERNATIONAL (Dublin, Ireland), RTE News, July 25, 2013
Complaints of elder abuse rose 7% last year
http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0725/464572-elder-abuse/
Almost 2,500 complaints of elder abuse were made to the health services last
year, up 7% since 2011, according to the Health Service Executive. Excluding
referrals of self-neglect, there were 1,923 referrals to the HSE last year.
26.
INTERNATIONAL (Dublin, Ireland), The Journal, July 25, 2013
Most perpetrators of elder abuse are sons and daughters
http://www.thejournal.ie/elder-abuse-hse-1007711-Jul2013/
According to the Health Service Executive, most perpetrators of elder abuse are
relatives and there was an increase in cases of abusive sons or daughters
(46%), while partners or spouses were implicated in 17 per cent of referrals
and ‘other’ relatives in 20% of cases.
27.
INTERNATIONAL (Waterford, Ireland), The Irish Examiner, July 29, 2013
Brothers of Charity reveal sex abuse allegations
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/brothers-of-charity-reveal-sex-abuse-allegations-238183.html
The Brothers of Charity in Waterford has revealed details of three sexual
assault allegations made by adults with special needs against two of its former
employees. The incidents took place in the 1990s, but they did not come to
light until last year. Blame was directed at two former employees. One is
dead and the other left the service in 1994.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1.
NEVADA (Las Vegas), Las Vegas Sun, July 29, 2013
Police: Woman survives suicide attempt, arrested in death of disabled son
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/jul/29/police-woman-survives-suicide-attempt-arrested-son/
A Las Vegas woman has been arrested on a count of murder after she forced her
mentally disabled son to overdose on prescription medication but survived an
attempt to kill herself, Metro Police alleged. The woman told police that she
wanted to kill herself but was concerned that her son, who required constant
supervision, could not take care of himself, so she decided to end both of
their lives.
2.
NEW YORK (Lockport), Buffalo News, July 27, 2013
How did Jessie die?
http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130727/CITYANDREGION/130729182/1002
A 19-year-old special education student was sent home sick from school and was
later found dead on the floor of his bedroom. Police are investigating this
case, as none of the three adults living in the house sought medical care for
the man during his ongoing illness.
3.
TEXAS (Arlington), WFAA, July 25, 2013
Arlington group home employee fired after disabled man left to die in hot SUV
http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/tarrant/Man-with-diminished-mental-capcity-found-dead-in-hot-vehicle-217041001.html
A developmentally disabled young man who died in a hot SUV outside his group
home Thursday had the happy, mischievous mind of a toddler, according to the
CEO of Cherry Tree Residential Services. The young man was identified
Friday as Terrance Sanders. Officers were called to the group home, which cares
for people with special needs where Sanders lived after an employee of the home
found the man unresponsive in the Honda CRV. Sanders was deceased when police
arrived.
RELATED ISSUES
1. WISCONSIN
(Tomahawk), NBC 15, July 28, 2013
UPDATE: Missing Wis. Woman with dementia found
http://www.nbc15.com/home/headlines/Deputies-looking-for-Wis-woman-with-dementia-217259921.html
Law enforcement officials in central Wisconsin have found a woman who had been
showing signs of dementia before she went missing. The Duluth News Tribune
reports Sunday that 77-year-old Lena Kreisant of the Town of Bradley was found
just before 10 p.m. Saturday night in Marathon County (http://bit.ly/16dctUm). She had been missing
since Friday morning when she left home to go to the store and didn't return.
2. INTERNATIONAL
(Dublin, Ireland), Irish Times, July 29, 2013
Bill on assisted decision-making will support the vulnerable
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/bill-on-assisted-decision-making-will-support-the-vulnerable-1.1477616
The long-awaited Assisted Decision-Making
(Capacity) Bill 2013 strongly reflects the recommendations of recent Law Reform
Commission reports and 70 written submissions made to the joint committee on
justice, defence and equality last year. Its purpose is to reform the law and
provide a modern statutory framework that supports decision-making by adults,
enabling them to retain the greatest amount of autonomy possible in situations
where they lack, or may shortly lack, capacity.
***************************************************************************************
Funding Opportunities:
- November 1, 2013
- The Lawrence Foundation awards grants in support of the environment, education, human services, disaster relief, and other causes. The foundation awards both program and operating grants with no geographic restrictions to nonprofit organizations that qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as public schools and libraries.
- For more information: http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/grants/guidelines.php
***************************************************************************************
Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· The American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, with other ABA cosponsors, is presenting the webinar, “When Adult Guardianship Crosses State Lines: A Uniform Act to Address Jurisdictional Issues.” The webinar will be on Tuesday July 30, 2013 at 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time. For more information http://apps.americanbar.org/cle/programs/t13uag1.html
· The 2nd Annual Summit on the Prevention of Elder Financial Fraud and Abuse will be hosted by the Illinois Department of Professional and Financial Regulation on July 31, 2013 at the Chicago Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort. To register: http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/DOA/conferences/APAconf.html
· The Illinois Department on Aging’s 2013 Adult Protection and Advocacy Conference will be held on August 1-2, 2013, at the Chicago Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort. On July 31st, Illinois’ 2nd Annual Financial Summit will be held in conjunction with the conference. For more information, and to register, go to http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/DOA/conferences/APAconf.html
· Changing
Aging, The Florida Conference on Aging will be held on August
12-14, 2013 and will be themed, “Aging: New Game – New Rules”
For more information: http://www.fcoa.org/conference.html
· The 18th International Conference & Summit on Violence, Abuse & Trauma will be held in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2013. For more information: http://www.ivatcenters.org/
· The 3rd Annual Sexuality, Intimacy & Aging Conference will be called “Helping to Navigate Challenges in Sexuality & Aging” and will be hosted at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania September 27-28, 2013. For more information http://saconsortium.eventbrite.com/
· The 33rd Annual Mental Health & Aging Conference, “Innovative Perspectives on Mental Health & Aging,” will be held on October 8, 2013 at The Double Tree in Sacramento, California. For more information visit www.sacmhac.net.
· The 24th Annual NAPSA Conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota October 2-3, 2013, followed by The 4th Annual NAPSA Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation on October 4, 2013. For more information: http://www.napsa-now.org/get-connected/annual-conference/
· The 20th Annual New York State Adult Abuse Training Institute will be held on October 9-10, 2013 at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, New York. Further details to follow.
· The 37th Annual Consume Voice Conference will be held in Arlington, Virginia October 24-27, 2013. For additional information: http://www.theconsumervoice.org/events/annual-meetings
· The 30th Annual Adult Protective Services Conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas from November 19-22, 2013. For more information: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adult_Protection/Adult_Protective_Services_Conference/
· The 2nd Annual National Elder Abuse Symposium, hosted by the California District Attorneys Association, will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Anaheim, California on December 3-6, 2013. Register here: http://www.cdaa.org/training/seminar-conference-registration?regevent_action=register&event_id=154
· The 3rd World Congress on Adult Guardianship will be convened on May 28-30, 2014 in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. It is sponsored by the National Guardianship Network in affiliation with the International Guardianship Network. The theme of the conference is, “Promising Practices to Ensure Excellence in Guardianship Around the World.” Proposals for presentations are due July 31. See http://worldcongressguardianship.org
An archived collection of
previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://ncea.posthaven.com
National Center on Elder Abuse
Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect
University of California, Irvine
Program in Geriatrics
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868