Elder abuse unit at work

WORKER CHARGED WITH BEATING ALZHEIMER’S PATIENT
By Carl Hessler Jr., For The Reporter

With the arrest last week of a patient care worker who allegedly beat an Alzheimer’s patient, members of Montgomery County’s new elder abuse prosecution and prevention unit went to work protecting the elderly.

“Seniors are being victimized in a number of different fashions, whether it’s physical abuse, sexual abuse or financial exploitation,” said county First Assistant District Attorney Kevin R. Steele.

“We thought it was important to focus our resources in prosecuting those who have committed these heinous offenses and to protect our seniors by giving them knowledge about different types of scams so they won’t become victims,” he said.

Assistant District Attorney Bradford A. Richman has been appointed captain of the elder abuse unit. Richman will work with county Detective Lt. Mark Bernstiel, who heads the detective bureau’s special investigations unit.

Richman announced the arrest recently of Henrietta Sprual, 29, of Upper Darby, who had allegedly “whacked” an 87-year-old man in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease with a belt some six to eight times. The incident occurred in December at Arden Court, an assisted-living facility in Upper Merion where Sprual worked as a caregiver, according to authorities.

Sprual’s arrest on assault-related charges is the first prosecution since the creation of the elder abuse unit.

Richman also will chair the district attorney’s Elder Abuse Task Force, a multi-disciplinary committee of law enforcement agencies and members of the county’s Aging and Adult Services Department.

(Abridged Article) SOURCE: TheReporterOnline