Teens Charged In Nursing Home Abuse

[atprm]

Teens Charged In Nursing Home Abuse

http://i.cdn.turner.com/trutv/thesmokinggun.com/graphics/art4/1202081inside1.jpg

Cops: Female caregivers spat on, spanked, humiliated infirm elderly


I bet their parents are PROUD of them -- not!! :slap

DECEMBER 2--A group of teenagers working at a Minnesota nursing home abused and sexually humiliated elderly residents suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia, prosecutors allege.

The six young female caregivers were named yesterday in criminal complaints charging them with a variety of cruel behavior at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Albert Lee, a city in southern Minnesota.

Only two of those charged--Brianna Broitzman, 19, and Ashton Larson, 18--are named in the complaints since they were not minors when the alleged abuse occurred. According to District Court complaints filed against Broitzman (pictured above left) and Larson (above right), nursing home residents were spat upon, spanked, improperly touched, and tormented by the teenagers earlier this year.

Excerpts of the misdemeanor complaints can be found below.

Broitzman allegedly poked one resident's breasts, spit into the mouth of another elderly person, and "put her bare butt" in the face of a Good Samaritan Society resident identified as "S.W." Larson once "inserted her finger into a resident's rectum," spit water on another "vulnerable adult," and would deliberately bathe a resident in a rough manner so the elderly man would get an erection.

The minor caregivers are identified in the complaints by their initials and dates of birth. Broitzman, charged with 11 criminal counts, and Larson, charged with 10 counts, face a year in jail or up to a year in jail on each of the raps.

Read the 8 page report here (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1202081minn1.html)





MISDEMEANORS???
MISDEMEANORS????? Are they joking??? 1 year in jail????? :getyou

[atprm]

THE LINK PROVIDED of the documents is GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING!!!

Please do not read them if you are overly sensitive!!

[gmyers]

Thats disgusting. They need to spend more than a year in prison.

[xsweetestx]

omg that is so sad

[atprm]

all day long I have thought about what I read on the reports... it will probably bother me the whole night too. :(

I think if there are any living relatives of the elderly victims, they should sue the PARENTS of these teenagers -- especially if the two eldest are still living with mommy and daddy.

It's horrifying, sickening, and dreadful

[gmyers]

They didn't deserve to be treated like that. If there's any justice they'll be old one day and someone will treat them worse than how they treated these people. Why'd they even volunteer if they were going to mock them and abuse them. It's sick what they did. It would serve these girls right if one day they had alzheimers and were at the mercy of someone just like them.

[Njean31]

omg. i would have loved to caught them doing that. thank heavens they were caught. they should never be allowed to work with people or animals ever again in their miserable little shallow lives. *****es.

[JKATHERINE]

OMG! Those flipping little brats TERRORIZED those poor people! I'm SURE they won't get what they truly deserve, but may they rot in hell!

Please heed ATPRM's warning above if you are sensitive. I'm not overly sensitive, but it shocked and horrified me and brought me to tears. :(

[tammy77]

This just makes me so sick.I work at a nursing home in the kitchen.There are a few residents who are in thier right mind and can be the biggest pains in the a** but I dont think anyone deserves this kind of treatment.I dont care who they are.
About a year or so ago we had an LPN who sexual abused atleast one resident.He worked on the vent unit and I guess he thought these people couldnt talk,well he ended up messing with the wrong person.Apparently hes been doing this for over 20 years in about 4-5 states.We were all shocked about this.He was really flirty and touchy feely but we never thought he would do this.Hes in jail now but I havent heard anything lately about his case.The last thing I heard was that he admitted to doing this for over 20 years.

[IthinkNOT!]

OMG, cases like this make me sick. It is all over the news here, and they called them CNA's. So therefore all the idiots on the comments have started talking about this is what a CNA does, and how CNA's are wanna be nurses that weren't allowed in nursing school. I hope these girls have this follow them for the rest of their lives, and are never allowed to be nurses. Or work around the elderly again.

[atprm]

here is that brianna's myspace page -- she looks like a gunch in every picture -- even where she dyed her hair black.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=40509177


more pictures of the wild teens here:
http://a11news.com/


unreal --

I bet their parents could just crawl under a rock!

[atprm]

this is from a blog -- but very interesting history on these teens and what has transpired from the start -- including the rest of the myspace pages.

http://www.dreamindemon.com/2008/12/02/brianna-broitzman-ashton-larson-mean-girls/

Albert Lea, MN - The Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Albert Lea probably isn’t the best place to be if you have Alzheimer’s. Oh, sure, the nurse’s aides are pretty - but they’ll also spit in your mouth, sexually abuse you, and taunt you until you cry. Which would be fine if the girls were working at the Albert Lea Dominatrix Emporium, I guess, but doesn’t work out so well in the dementia unit. After a months-long investigation, four juveniles and two legal adults are facing abuse charges. The two adults are Brianna Broitzman, 19, and Ashton Larson, 18.

I’d be inclined to think that this case was overblown if I were a casual reader. After all, these are two very pretty young white girls, right? They appear to be middle-class at least. Brianna’s old Myspace shows a pretty Albert Lea High School student - popular, on the dance team, not particularly horrid in any way.

But your favorite imp was a nurse in another life, and kids, let me tell ya - it’s not easy to get criminal charges filed in nursing home abuse cases. This investigation started in May after allegations of elder abuse were filed that dated back to January. We’re not talking about a two-week he-said she-said thing, here.

In early May, a teenage nurse’s aide was being fired from Good Samaritan for swearing in front of a resident. She decided not to go down alone, and blew the whistle on at least four other aides, alleging that they were routinely abusing their residents.

Good Samaritan immediately launched an investigation and reported the alleged abuse to the Minnesota Department of Health. The home also fired the other aides, which tells me that they were cleaning house in a CYA move - but also that they had reason to suspect the informant was telling the truth. Sounds to me like a few charge nurses shoulda gone with ‘em, but hey, that’s just me.

On August 28 of this year, the Minnesota Department of Health released their findings in their investigation of the abuse at Good Samaritan. The department investigated five aides and found that four of them, primarily Broitzman and Larson, abused fifteen residents repeatedly or witnessed “verbal, sexual and emotional” abuse and did nothing to stop it. The department filed a civil action to have the aides’ licenses pulled, and turned over their report to police.

The police investigation got a little broader and covered eight aides, of whom six have now been charged. Aside from Broitzman and Larson, the remaining four are being charged with legally mandated failure to report abuse - in other words, they knew what was happening and didn’t do anything. Two of the teens, Alicia Heilmann (Myspace (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=43026764)) and Morgan Walton (Myspace (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=67823944)) were juveniles when the crimes were committed, but are both now 18. They’re being tried in juvenile court.

During interviews with investigators, Brianna Broitzman admitted that she and Ashton Larson took photos and videos of residents for fun. She said that they also poked one female dementia patient in the breast. Ashton Larson was a bit more forthcoming, and admitted to various abuses including spitting, holding her hand over a resident’s mouth, dry-humping residents, sticking her finger in a resident’s anus, touching a resident’s ass, and getting in bed with residents. Er, what? Seriously? Ew. Just ewww, Ashton!

Other aides reported that most of the aides knew about the abuse, because it was discussed and laughed over at breaks. Several aides reported that Brianna and Ashton dispensed spankings to residents, teased them, and poked them in the genitals. One girl reported that Brianna mooned a resident up close, sticking her bare butt in the resident’s face, and that Ashton rubbed resident’s genitals in an attempt to get them sexually aroused. Okay, again… say what? Come on, now. And this went on for months without anyone saying a word until some kid got fired for cussing? Something was clearly very wrong at the Good Samaritan, y’all.

Brianna Broitzman is charged with three counts of assault in the fifth degree of a caregiver to a vulnerable adult, three counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, three counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, one instance of disorderly conduct by a caregiver, and one instance of mandated reporter failure to report. For that, she faces some $22,000 in fines, or a year in prison for each count.

Ashton Larson is charged with two counts of assault in the fifth degree of a caregiver to a vulnerable adult, one count of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, four counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, two counts of disorderly conduct by a caregiver and one count of mandated reporter failure to report. She’s looking at $28,000 in fines, or a year in prison on each count.

Here’s the thing, though. Already prosecutors are saying that it’s unlikely the girls will do any jail time at all. Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson says that Brianna and Ashton “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.” Oh, well. That’ll teach ‘em to behave, Mr. Nelson. Really?

[gmyers]

Now that makes me mad. No jail time just probation. Talk about unfair. I wish there was an email address we could let them know what we think of giving these idiots probation. Someone ought to forward this story to Dr. Phil. Maybe a little embarassing is called for if they don't get any time. If they get off scott free I hope the families sue their butts. Someone should post this story on you tube and embarrass their butts. Let everyone know what sadistic perverts they are.

[Jackie_Blu]

This absolutely sickens and disgusts me also. In my early 20s I trained to be a CNA and worked in a Nursing Home. I absolutely adored the residents. I worked the graveyard shift and so many of them couldnt sleep or were lonely and I would spend my breaks in their rooms, talking with them, some liked to reminisce about their youth or special memories they had, and I would quietly listen, enjoying every minute of it. For those whose memory had gone or couldnt communicate, I would sit with them, hold their hand, read to them... There were many residents who didnt get visits from their families, who were too "busy" & caught up in their own lives, & to those I gave extra attention, love and hugs. It is so easy for some to forget that these people were once productive members of society and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I found I could learn so much just listening to the ones who still had their minds and loved to share stories.
Unfortunately there were a few working there that were rough and impatient with the residents, at times bruising them or tearing their paper thin skin by rough handling. When I was aware of this, I reported it immediately. Any mistreatment of these beautiful people, whether they still have their awareness or not, is absolutely inexcusable.
Those girls deserve severe punishment for their actions, along with public humiliation (Oprah would definitely do this story justice) and I do hope this is etched into their permanent record to follow them for their lifetimes.
I agree with someone else who said we need a contact email or something to complain of the lenient punishment. I will gladly raise hell.
and yes, Jamie......they surely will rot in hell......

[April78945]

I would ****ing kill those ****s if they did this to anyone in my family.

[atprm]

Albert Lea Police Department
maps.google.com

411 S Broadway Ave
Albert Lea, MN 56007
(507) 377-5215


Freeborn County
Court Administration
411 South Broadway
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Freeborn County Court Administration Phone Numbers
Traffic, Misdemeanor criminal, Civil, Small Claims, Probate, Jury (507) 377-5153
Juvenile, Family, Gross Misdemeanor/Felony, Scheduling (507) 377-5153
Judge James E. Broberg (507) 377-5153
Judge John A. Chesterman (507) 377-5153

[atprm]

I just found this article!!!


grrrrrrr


Attorney General's Office not to assist in Good Sam case
Freeborn County Attorney's Office to issue charges in next few days

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office no longer will be assisting the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office in prosecution against the four teenagers allegedly involved in abuse at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home of Albert Lea, according to a news release issued Friday by the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office.

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson states in the release that his office received a formal letter written by Deputy Attorney General David S. Vogt on Thursday that was dated two days prior. It advised that the state Attorney General’s Office would not be helping with the criminal prosecution of the former nursing assistants because it now intends to represent the Minnesota Department of Health in a civil appeals case also tied to the Good Sam abuse allegations.

Nelson will issue charges and juvenile petitions within the next few days as deemed appropriate from the obtained evidence, the release states.

According to the release, the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services disqualified four teenagers allegedly involved in the abuse from working at any licensed or unlicensed care facility in Minnesota, and “three of the suspects have challenged the maltreatment findings and the administrative disqualifications.”

Because the Attorney General’s Office believes the civil appeals process and the criminal process must be kept separate, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will represent the Minnesota Department of Health in the civil portion but will “not be providing the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office with any information it has obtained through the production of information or evidence in the civil/regulatory process,” the release states.

“Because the allegations raised in the civil proceedings are very troubling, the Attorney General’s Office intends to vigorously represent the Department of Health in the contested administrative litigation,” it continues.

The Freeborn County Attorney’s Office is recovering the criminal investigative files from the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and is assessing the situation, according to the release.

Prior to this, the state Attorney General’s Office had taken over the prosecution of the two suspects who were adults at the time of the alleged incidents, and Nelson’s office was prosecuting the other two suspects, who were 17 at the time.

They are all now 18 or older.

http://media.albertleatribune.com/img/photos/2008/08/29/Nelson_Craig_t180.jpg

At that time, Nelson said he thought an objective, third party outside of the community would be better situated to make the final prosecutorial decisions for the adults in the case.

On Friday, the county attorney told the Tribune in an e-mail that from a personal and emotional standpoint, it would have been nice to have had an outside agency, such as the Attorney General’s Office, handle the prosecution.

“Not being from the community and not being subject to personal scrutiny, their charging and prosecutorial decisions, and their ability to reach a conclusion in cases such as these would be perceived as being more objective, impartial and less subject to second-guessing at every turn,” Nelson said.

But with that not being the case, he said it is his duty as the elected Freeborn County Attorney to prosecute crimes.

“I have a job to do, and I always try to do the best job possible,” he said.

He does not have a conflict of interest, he said.

“I have always lived in this smaller community,” Nelson said. “I know or have had dealings with many people. In this case I know people who work or have worked at Good Samaritan. I know people who currently live at Good Samaritan — some of those people are dear personal friends. I know some members of the families of both the nursing assistants involved in the case and the elderly persons who are the victims of improper care. However, I do not have any personal connections that would be the basis for claiming that I cannot do my job fairly or impartially.”

He went on to say: “In cases such as these involving multiple defendants arising out of confusing circumstances and involving the same or similar incidents, it is important to carefully coordinate the individual prosecutions and the testimony of victims and witnesses. Here the alleged victims cannot testify. Here the potential suspects in the case include juveniles and adults. My office does have exclusive authority to handle both types of prosecution, however, in prosecutions involving multiple defendants it is sometimes necessary to not charge or engage in plea negotiations with those who are less culpable in order to pursue charges against more culpable defendants.”

The frustration that often comes with these cases, he said, is that the penalty levels of what can actually be charged are usually less than what the families of the alleged victims would want.

“Any plea will be subject to criticism, at the same time that the prosecutor has to be to prove each defendant guilty — using proper evidence ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’” he said.

The details of abuse allegations surfaced after the release of a Minnesota Department of Health report Aug. 28 that concluded four teenagers were involved in verbal, sexual and emotional abuse of 15 residents at the nursing home in Albert Lea.

Charges and petitions will be filed in Freeborn County District Court and those teenagers charged will be notified by mail of the charges. The names will be made public at the time of the charges.

The Freeborn County Court Administrator’s Office will establish dates and times for the first appearances in court.

[atprm]

READ THE COMMENTS PEOPLE HAVE LEFT!!! (http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2008/nov/22/attorney-generals-office-not-assist-good-sam-case/#comments)

[atprm]

I registered for a free account and posted -- I suggest you all do the same.

someone over there suggest 20/20 getting this story...someone needs to!!

[atprm]

OH MY GOD!!! One of the parent's of these girls works at the same nursing home facility!!


Posted by demo1960 (anonymous) on December 2, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I guess the rumors were true. One of the girl's parent has been a long-time employee of Good Sam's. Some of her other children have worked there as well.

http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2008/dec/03/breaking-charges-filed-good-sam-case/

[gmyers]

It sounds like the county attorney is more worried about his career than in prosecting this case. He said he'd rather an outside party make the decision.
He also said he knows some of the parties involved and some of the victums also. But that he could still be impartial. It doesn't sound that way if he wants to only give them probation.

[atprm]

Here is the link with numbers to the AG's office:
http://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Contact...




Posted by NHAdmin (anonymous) on December 3, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am Nursing Home Administrator in Minnesota and am deeply disturbed by these acts. They MUST be listed as sexual predators and they should never have the ability to work with vulnerable adults or children in any state. We need to make sure of this by bombarding the Attorney General's office with our calls about the way this case is being prosecuted. (the number is posted above)

Nursing homes already have a negative stigma in our society and a back eye like this will continue to hinder our ability to show all of the positives things that we do. Please understand that this crime is extremely rare. All complaints and survey findings are public knowledge on the MDH website and you would be hard pressed to find another crime of this nature.

To the rest of the Good Sam staff, thank you for sticking with it and providing excellent care to your residents!

[Jackie_Blu]

I have emailed the story links to Oprah, Dateline and 20/20. I do hope others will do this as well.

[jeanea33]

I honestly hope that the judge in this case makes a example of them. We can give them jobs in their new prison. I am sure they need help in the medical wards. Let them try those stunts there. lol They probably will just get their hands slapped grrrrrrrrrrrr

[janelle]

Damn, we had a case here in town where a male aide was having sex with an old woman while she was bent over her bed. The woman's son walked in and saw it. He could have killed the guy but restrained himself.

I always worried when my mother was in the care home and in assisted living. Even more when she got to the point of not being able to tell me things that happened.

I guess every care home needs cameras in each room and on at all times. At least it would be recorded when it happens.

I hope the record follows those girls forever. There is something missing in their brains.

[atprm]

apparently, from stuff I am reading, the one girl Ashton, now works at a SUBWAY sub shop!

Imagine... the same girl that thought it was funny to finger a patients brown eye and SPIT IN SOMEONE'S MOUTH...NOW makes food to be sold to whoever!!

I don't think I will ever eat there again -- I don't care what state I am in!

[atprm]

Facebook site reveals different side of one suspect

By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune

Published Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The young women facing adult criminal charges connected to alleged abuse at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea were active at Albert Lea High School but an Internet site shines a different light on the personality of one of the two women.

Brianna Marie Broitzman, 19, the first of the two adults charged in the case, is going to college at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City. She was a former member of the Albert Lea High School dance team, according to the ALHS 2008 yearbook.

Her Facebook.com page features photos of memorable high school experiences such as Homecoming, school football games, prom and graduation, but there were also pictures of Broitzman and her friends with beer and pizza and bumper stickers about drinking and sex.

On the Web site, she could be seen in photographs with friends playing what they called “Pin the Junk on the Hunk,” similar to pin the tail on the donkey but with male genitalia.

Ashton Larson, 18, the second of the two adults charged in the case was a sports anchor for many of Albert Lea High School’s “Tiger Vision” shows, according to the yearbook.

The two were indicted Monday for charges ranging from mandated failure to report suspected abuse to criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult and assault in the fifth degree.

Broitzman has been charged with three counts of assault in the fifth degree of a caregiver to a vulnerable adult, three counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, three counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, one instance of disorderly conduct by a caregiver, and one instance of mandated reporter failure to report.

Larson has been charged with two counts of assault in the fifth degree of a caregiver to a vulnerable adult, one count of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, four counts of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult with sexual contact, two counts of disorderly conduct by a caregiver and one count of mandated reporter failure to report.

The charges were filed by the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office. They are based on an investigation by the Albert Lea Police Department and the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office that stemmed from abuse allegations earlier this year.

[atprm]

MN dept of Health report:

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/directory/surveyapp/ohfcfindings/h5441019.pdf


Report Number: H5441019
Status: SUBSTANTIATED
Concluded On: 08/05/2008
Complaint Description: PHYSICAL ABUSE BY STAFF, EMOTIONAL ABUSE BY STAFF

[atprm]

if someone wants to contact Subway to let them know of this disgusting employee...

here is there address and phone number --

http://www.subway.com/Applications/CustService/images/cs_HQbanner.gif

[gmyers]

Assault in the fifth degree? It seems like it ought to be more than that.

[atprm]

It's now on ABC News front page:

http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=6384741&page=1

[dawn827]

Just wanted to let you all know that this story has made it on the Today Show that I am watching this morning.

[Jackie_Blu]

Thanks, Dawn. I appreciate you letting us know.

[dawn827]

No problem...I was looking for the direct link for the story that aired on the Today Show, but it seems it's not up yet. I will try and post it later if it is avaliable.

Here is the direct link to video that aired on the Today Show this morning:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/28048764#28048764

[gmyers]

I'm glad they're being exposed on tv for what they did. Serves them right. One of their dads said it was being blown out of proportion by the media. She was just doing her job. Thats the problem with some kids today. Some parents take up for them no matter how bad something they do is instead of coming down on them and punishing them.

[meltodd69]

These kids are sick and evil! And I can't believe the law is on their side, at least it seems like it. A slap on the hand is not Justice! Them kids need to go to prison. Every last one of them do. They all knew what they were doing was wrong. They should have to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives!
I do not have a weak stomach, but this just sickens me.

[Jackie_Blu]

These kids are sick and evil! And I can't believe the law is on their side, at least it seems like it. A slap on the hand is not Justice! Them kids need to go to prison. Every last one of them do. They all knew what they were doing was wrong. They should have to register as sex offenders for the rest of their lives!
I do not have a weak stomach, but this just sickens me.

Exactly!! Maybe if we all raise some hell over it, it will help. Im glad to see its getting national attention and hoping that will put some pressure on our wonderful justice system to do the right thing. On the Today video it was even mentioned that the courts didnt seem to think it was that big of a deal. Im glad attention is being brought to that too.

[atprm]

thanks for the update! I am glad that enough people are outraged over it as I am -- enough to call, write or email various media outlets to cover it.

I was reading on one of the newspaper comment's section how people in that town are "upset" not because the "girls were doing their job and are misunderstood" but because people are wanting this to be national news and it will "make their town look bad".

[gmyers]

It would only make them look bad if they ignored what happened and didn't do anything about it. Who cares how their prescious town looks as long as the elderly people are taken care of.

[Jackie_Blu]

msnbc.com has finally run the story.
Here's the comment page they linked to it. A LOT of outrage over this....and rightly so.

http://basseq.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/04/2176815-teen-girls-charged-in-nursing-home-abuse#comments

"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."

This is such Bulls*it. I hope and pray the families of the victims pursue this and demand more fitting punishments!

eta: anyone wanting to voice their opinion to the Alber Lea public offices, here is the website: http://www.city.albertlea.org/officials.htm

[janelle]

I doubt if Dr. Phil can do anything about it. He got in trouble when he tried to expose those teens who held that one girl and beat her unconscious. Skanks and bullies. The parents went nuts when he wanted to put the injured girl on his show to talk about it.

They all cried exploitation so he dropped it. Now this. The parents' lawyers won't let anyone touch them.

[atprm]

made it to the AP on December 4 --

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/12/04/2176559-minn-teen-girls-charged-in-nursing-home-abuse

[gmyers]

That's good I'm glad its getting lots of attention.

[krisharry]

wow, nothing like the typical girl next door cheerleader type-just shows you can't judge a book by it's cover- everyone probably thought they were "perfect" and then this chit comes out, spoiled witches, makes you wonder what else they are capable of, they should fry for this, too bad all they will probably get is a slap on the hand

[Jackie_Blu]

2 women in Albert Lea abuse case face judge
The defendants allegedly abused vulnerable adults by sexually and physically abusing them for months.
Last update: January 22, 2009 - 8:16 AM

ALBERT LEA, MINN. - Two young women charged with abusing seven nursing home residents faced a judge for the first time Wednesday in a courtroom packed with relatives of the residents.

Brianna Marie Broitzman and Ashton Michelle Larson, both 19, of Albert Lea, did not enter pleas in Freeborn County District Court. Judge Steven Schwab set bail at $6,000 for their unconditional release or $2,000 with restrictions, the maximum under state law.

Each posted $2,000 bail and agreed not to contact victims or their families, other defendants or witnesses.

Last month, Broitzman was charged with 11 gross misdemeanors and Larson with 10 for fifth-degree assault, physical and sexual abuse of vulnerable adults, disorderly conduct by a caregiver and failing to report suspected abuse.

The criminal complaint described several months of abuse that included spitting in residents' mouths, poking and groping their breasts and genitals, and at times taunting them until they screamed. The abuse allegedly occurred as the young women worked evening shifts at Good Samaritan Society Albert Lea nursing home.

The matter gained public attention in August when Minnesota Department of Health inspectors concluded that four aides had abused 15 residents with dementia between January and May of last year.

In juvenile court last week, one former aide pleaded guilty to failing to report the alleged abuse and three others denied guilt, County Attorney Craig Nelson said. Now age 18, those four were charged as juveniles because they were 17 at the time, Nelson said.

During Wednesday's hearing, Broitzman's attorney, Lawrence Maus of nearby Austin, said his client "is going to challenge this complaint."

Schwab ordered the defendants to return March 23 for a pretrial hearing, when they may enter pleas.

"I think it's the beginning stages of seeing some form of justice," Jan Reshetar, whose mother-in-law was allegedly abused, said after the hearing, according to the Albert Lea Tribune. She said she would have liked to see harsher charges filed against the defendants.

Still, she said, "I'm sad for them. Their families are going through some horrendous situations."

http://www.startribune.com/local/38007319.html?page=1&c=y