Two teenagers accused of taunting elderly
Associated Press
According to the criminal complaint, filed Monday, 19-year-old Brianna Broitzman and 18-year-old Ashton Larson laughed earlier this year as they spat in residents’ mouths, poked and grabbed them, and at times mocked them until they screamed.
Broitzman and Larson, who worked as part-time aides at the home, have been charged as adults.
Larson’s father disputed the charges against his daughter in a statement issued to and read on NBC’s “Today” show Thursday.
“Not all of the charges are as they appear. Much of this has been distorted by the news media,” Michael Larson said in the statement.
“My daughter was doing nothing more than performing the duties of her job.”
No one answered the phone Thursday morning at Broitzman’s home. There was no information in court records on attorneys for either teen.
Four other teens who worked with them at the Good Samaritan Society were charged as juveniles for failing to report the incidents.
A total of eight teens were allegedly involved in the incidents, but there was no record of criminal charges being filed against two of them.
Broitzman and Larson are charged with assault, abuse of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver, abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, disorderly conduct and failing to report suspected maltreatment. All are gross misdemeanors.
If found guilty, Broitzman and Larson “most likely will face suspended jail sentences and probation, so they’d have the threat of jail hanging over them if they get in more trouble,” Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Department of Health released a report in August showing that 15 residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia disorders were abused at the facility between Jan. 1 and May 1.
According to the complaint filed Monday, one of the aides said the group gathered at work or school to “talk and laugh about the incidents.”
Mark Anderson, administrator at the Good Samaritan Society in
“We are just really thankful that the proceedings are moving forward and hopefully can see some closure to this whole process,”
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Filed by Associated Press December 4th, 2008 in Top Stories. Popularity: 4% |
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Comments
Comment from
Dan S.
December 4, 2008, 1:28 pm
“Two teenage girls who…”
These aren’t “girls”…
These are full blown, mentally disturbed adults.
Comment from
Mrs. Waldman
December 4, 2008, 2:15 pm
This is disgusting. I agree Dan, these people are mentally disturbed and cruel beyond comprehension.
Comment from
huntryss
December 4, 2008, 3:02 pm
Where were the nurses that were supposed to be overseeing these aides? Those who stood by and did nothing are just as guilty of abuse. I hope the nursing home prosecutes them all to the fullest. At my facility this would never have gotten this far. I trust my aides to report things .I am out on that floor with my aides, watching and noticing what goes on. This appears to be something that went on over a period of time. As someone with 20 years experience in long term care, I know I would have reported and stopped this behavior. It is inexcusable! I am appalled by this!
Comment from
art
December 4, 2008, 5:55 pm
“If found guilty, Broitzman and Larson “most likely will face suspended jail sentences and probation, so they’d have the threat of jail hanging over them if they get in more trouble,” Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. ”
PLEASE this is by far not enough!
Comment from
Lovinglife4me
December 4, 2008, 6:44 pm
Looks like a free pass to me. If any of those were my relatives I’d be livid!
Two teenage girls ……have been charged as adults.
No DUH!!!!
19-year-old Brianna Broitzman and 18-year-old Ashton Larson
Why wouldn’t they be charged as adults????
If that’s the adult sentence what would they have gotten as kids? Grounded?
Comment from
Lovinglife4me
December 4, 2008, 6:48 pm
Wait. Grounded would have been a worse punishment than what they got!!!!
Comment from
Jimbob
December 4, 2008, 7:51 pm
I’m certainly happy that it wasn’t my mother they were abusing. Their punishment for this kind of action is not nearly enough. If it had been my mother, and after they had recovered from the beating they would have gotten, maybe they would have a little respect for the elderly, or at least the fear of being beaten again.
Comment from
dippydo
December 5, 2008, 9:29 am
I bet they would have sreamed bloody murder if one of those older gentleman had reached out and grabbed their breast or crotch.
Put them in jail with the general population!
Comment from
mfitzpat66
December 5, 2008, 12:04 pm
I think they should let some dirty old men GROPE their breasts and genitalia as punishment.
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