ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
14-Year Prison Sentence For Caregiver
Charges Of Sexual Assault And Theft
Three Elderly Sexual Assault Victims
Seniors and dependent persons under the care of in-home caregivers or residing in a care facility may be at risk of physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse and at the same time financial abuse by those caregivers and facility staff entrusted – and paid – to care for them. Any form of abusive conduct inflicted on a senior or dependent person may be criminal and also be grounds for civil liability against the actor, anyone assisting the actor, and persons charged with supervising the actor. See, e.g., Penal Code § 368 (crime of elder abuse); Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code §§ 15610.30(a)(definition of financial elder abuse) and 15610.63 (definition of physical abuse includes sexual assault and rape). Evans Law Firm, Inc. represents elder and dependent adult victims of any kind of abuse, including financial elder abuse from caregivers, anyone assisting the caregiver, and those businesses or individuals who may responsible for supervising the caregiver. Call us today at (415)441-8669 or TOLL FREE 1-888-80EVANS (888-503-8267) if a senior loved one of yours has suffered any kind of neglect, or financial elder or dependent adult abuse in San Cruz County or elsewhere in California.
Caregiver Sentenced For Sexual Assault And Theft
In a recently announced criminal sentencing,[1] a California judge sentenced a former caregiver to more than 14 years in state prison for sexually assaulting three elderly patients, as well as stealing cash, jewelry and a handgun from others in his care. The former caregiver previously plead guilty to 11 felonies tied to sexual assault and financial abuse of elders. The caregiver’s sentence of 14 years and four months “is one of the longest elder abuse sentences imposed in a case brought by the California Department of Justice,” Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said in a news release. “My office will not stand for abuse of the elderly by their caretakers,” Bonta said in a statement. “The crimes that took place under the care of [defendant] are unacceptable. No caretaker should expect to get away with sexually, physically, or financially abusing any senior citizen in our state.”
Protecting Your Older Loved Ones From Abuse
This case illustrates how important it is to stay involved in a senior’s life. If you have an older loved one under the care of an in-home caregiver or residing in a facility, visit as frequently as you can and speak one on one with your older loved one without anyone else present so they can open up to you about what is going on in this or her life. Make unannounced visits so no predatory caregiver can pre your loved one on what he or she should say. Intimidation and fear are real parts of elder abuse. Keep all jewelry and other valuables safe and out of reach of any caregiver or staff member. Make sure there are no financial papers or information (like Social Security numbers) within their view. Keep all cash and credit cards and ATM cards locked up somewhere. Never let a senior loved one open a joint account with an advisor or caregiver. Accompany your older loved ones whenever they meet anyone on business matters. Review bank records and bills continually online. Never ever allow the senior to give a financial advisor, caregiver, or care facility employee a Power of Attorney. If you suspect abuse, call elder law counsel to help you pursue all available remedies against anyone responsible for abuse, including an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for bringing your suit under Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5.
Contact Us
Ingrid M. Evans represents victims of financial elder abuse, and their families and heirs, here in Santa Cruz County or elsewhere in California. If you need help, call us today at 415-441-8669 or toll free at 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Ingrid will pursue all remedies available against the agent, including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the older person required to bring an action based on the agent’s wrongful conduct.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
