New Program To Detect Elderly Abuse

Methods Used To Detect Child Abuse Are Now Being Used To Combat Abuse Of Older Americans

(CBS)  It was Thanksgiving Day 2004, and 72-year-old Pearl Robertson — known to those who loved her as Mama Pearl — lay dying on the bathroom floor.

Mama Pearl had advanced heart disease, CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella reports. But an autopsy also revealed bruises, a fractured sternum, broken ribs and blood in her lungs.

"She had sustained blows to the chest, and that's what initiated the events that caused her to die," the medical examiner said.

It's a hardly studied and hugely under-reported problem, but of the known cases of elderly abuse and neglect, researchers say 89 percent happen in private homes — and more than half at the hands of children or other relatives.

States are starting to get the word out with public service announcements. Whether it's a grandfather being swindled by his son or an elderly aunt whose relatives are simply too far away to help, there is no typical case. What is typical is that the victims either don't know they're being abused or neglected, or they don't want to believe it.

"A lot of times the perpetrators are family members or people known to the senior, so they don't want to report that because they love their children and they don't understand why they are being so abusive to them or so neglectful of them," Dr. Carmel Dyer says.

Dyer heads a new program at Houston's Baylor College of Medicine, one of only five like it in the country, where doctors, nurses and medical students make house calls to seniors based on reports from Adult Protective Services. A social worker who suspects abuse can call on doctors for a second opinion.

If a doctor suspects a crime, experts from all corners — medical, social services and criminal justice — work through the case together. It's the same kind of approach used to tackle domestic violence and child abuse.

That teamwork helped prosecutor Mark Donnelly prove that CPR didn't cause Mama Pearl's injuries — her son's girlfriend did. She's now serving time for felony assault on the elderly.

"I have no doubt that a crime was committed in this case. If I had felt otherwise, I would have never come close to going to trial on it," Donnelly says.

Mama Pearl found justice. But experts fear that for every case they find, five more go unreported.

[xxliljaymaxx]

You are absolutely correct, the facts are not CORRECT, if they were she would be serving time for murder as that is the crime she committed. Although I know her and know she most likely did not do this on purpose FACT she still took someones life! Get YOUR facts right!! Its the perfect story for justice and may save another persons life, maybe your mothers! L. Packett

[bikerchick6]

First of all, let me congratulate Kelly Cobiella on her report. Mark Donnelly (the ADA who prosecuted the case) did an outstanding job.My name is BeLinda Robertson Hyder, I am the daughter of (Mama Pearl) the victim in the report. I totally disagree with Ms. Lewis's comments (who by the way is the convicted defendants sister). Jill was convicted on the charge of "Injury to the Elderly" a second degree felony. Since your family is so "educated" as you put it during the trial, then you should look up the definition of abuse in Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Who ever said that a victim of abuse had to be in someones care? I was there. I know what happened. Jill's assault and physical abuse led to my Mother's death. Please don't use this public forum to plead your case. That would be "tacky". The jury is in and the verdict has been rendered. GUILTY!! LET IT GO!!

[xxliljaymaxx]

I think its pretty "tacky" for some one who is not even in the family to get on the internet to give their own opinion about something that is already over with. She's already CHARGED, obviously if she had nothing to do with the incident she would not be in jail, right? My Mama Pearl was a strong lady and although every one knows that she is in a better place, she is missed daily. If the new program is trying to decrease the incidents of elderly abuse, why wouldn't this story be a perfect example? "But an autopsy also revealed bruises, a fractured sternum, broken ribs and blood in her lungs". You DO NOT just develop broken ribs, or bruises.. SOMEONE caused those, and that is WHY this story was aired, and that is why she is serving time for FELONY ABUSE.

[pgluntz]

I guess you missed this part: the medical examiner concluded that abuse led to her heart attack, and the suspect--her son's girlfriend--is now serving time for felony abuse.

[talithalewis]

I am a little confused about the story aired tonight concerning How To Detect Elderly Abuse. First, I think it was very tacky how you started your show with a story concerning a 72 year old lady who died of a heart attack. This story had nothing to do with the new program you have started. Please get all of the facts before airing stories like this in the future. After researching this case, the suspect was not charged with abuse or neglect. The victim was never in the care of the suspect. I am sure there were more appropriate cases to use.