quote:

6 teens charged in nursing home abuse
By WARREN WOLFE, Star Tribune
Last update: December 3, 2008 - 9:58 AM

Six young women are accused of groping and taunting seven residents at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Albert Lea., or witnessing the alleged events.

The eight young women attended high school together and worked together part-time at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Albert Lea, Minn.

A criminal complaint filed Monday says they also laughed together early this year as they spat in residents' mouths, poked and groped their breasts and genitals and at times taunted them until they screamed -- or witnessed those events.

Charged Monday with maltreatment of seven residents were Brianna Marie Broitzman, 19, who faces 11 charges, and Ashton Michelle Larson, 18, who faces 10. Neither returned calls Monday seeking a comment or the name of their attorneys.

The six others, all 17 years old at the time of the alleged abuse, were identified only by birthdates and initials. Four were charged Monday in juvenile court with failure to report maltreatment.

The allegations became public in August when state Health Department inspectors concluded that four aides, to make their "work fun," had abused 15 frail residents.

Broitzman and Larson were charged Monday with fifth-degree 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, with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $3,000 fine for each count.

If found guilty, "they 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," said Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson, who filed the charges Monday.

The incidents allegedly occurred between Jan. 1 and May 1. The home fired the four aides cited in the Health Department report soon after it learned of the allegations in May.
...quoted from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star-Tribune website...

quote:

And so it goes...dragged out for more time.