BY SHARAHN D. BOYKIN
STAFF WRITER
MAY 28, 2009
A 61-year-old Salisbury woman was ordered to serve nearly three months in the county detention center after she pleaded guilty to adult abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult in Wicomico County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The prosecutor called the case one of the most "appalling sights" seen in her 22 years at the State's Attorney's Office. However, the judge elected not to impose the maximum five-year prison penalty, stating that she believed the defendant wouldn't repeat the violations.
"It should be a humiliating situation to have that statement of charges read to another human being," said Judge Kathleen Beckstead.
Charges filed against Ruth May McCann include abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult family member, reckless endangerment and vulnerable adult abuse resulting in physical injury, according to court records.
The charges against McCann is one of the most recent cases prosecuted by the new Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office Protection of Adults Vulnerable or Elderly Unit.
"As a society, we have to begin a protection system to protect the vulnerable," said Elizabeth Ireland, a Wicomico County assistant state's attorney.
Prosecutors started the unit six months ago to focus on crimes against the vulnerable and elderly, working with the local law enforcement and the Department of Social Services.
In court Wednesday, the state dropped the three charges in exchange for a guilty plea from McCann.
"I believe there should be some jail time, but not a lengthy period," said Beckstead, who suspended all but 90 days of the two-year sentence.
Police were called to Gateway Village Complex, a senior apartment complex, after they received a report of elder abuse.
McCann was the designated caretaker for an 84-year-old wheelchair-bound family member suffering from dementia, and she lived in the one-bedroom apartment with the woman.
Police reported a strong odor of feces and urine in the home.
"The stench from the apartment was overwhelming," Ireland said.
Police found what they believed to be fecal matter and fecal stains on the bedroom wall, headboard and on the victim's wheel chair. Officers reported the victim appeared to have been defecating and urinating in the bed.
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