Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are, among many other weaknesses they endure throughout the duration of their illness, easily manipulated. Caretakers to these very sick individuals are depended upon, not only by patients, but also by the families and friends of those patients. This dependence puts them in a position of great power, and as always, with power comes responsibility. Unfortunately, many of these caretakers use their position of power to take advantage of their patients. This kind of elder abuse is far too common. Our elders should be respected. Instead, some are being forced to live in inhumane conditions while their life savings are being ripped out from underneath them.
Caretaker Arrested for Theft, Elder Abuse and False Imprisonment
Milagros Angeles, 62, is being accused of theft by a caretaker, elder abuse, false imprisonment, and being in possession of altered checks. If she is found guilty, Milagros may be facing more than six years in prison. She worked as the caretaker of Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor Arnold “Max” Bauer, 93, since 2009. When employees at Bauer’s bank noticed a series of suspicious checks drawn on his account during a 6 month period of absence, they contacted Adult Protective Services. Investigators were sent to check on him. Once in the home, they found that the elderly man was living in “filth and squalor,” with trash, rotting food and rat feces covering the house. According to San Diego Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Varnau, Bauer was found disoriented and dehydrated and “It appears he has advanced Alzheimer’s … He can engage in conversation for a very short period of time and then he drifts off. He is very vulnerable and very much open to being victimized and manipulated.”
They also found $9,000 in cash in Milagros’ bedroom and after further investigation found that she had written 56 checks, totaling $5,600, to herself and her family in the Philippines. Milagros Angeles is being charged with elder abuse and neglect while stealing from the elderly man’s life savings. The exact amount she has taken is unknown, but considering she lived and worked with the man for almost three years, the total could be as much as $100,000.
Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia
If your loved one is currently being taken advantage of financially or physically, or they are a resident of a nursing home and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.