Special2bme
February 16th, 2009, 11:38 PM
HOUSTON -- Violet Adovnik and her dog live alone a Houston home. But recently, she says her bank account, her home and her valuables were all stolen.
The 87-year-old senior says two of her children forced her to move into a nursing home. While she was there, her son, Delmar Douglas, allegedly stole much of her life savings.
“Don’t trust your family. They know what you've got and they want it,” said Adovnik.
It doesn't happen often, but in this case, Harris County prosecutors charged Delmar with a felony.
“If a child, a friend, a lawyer or anyone doesn't want to fully disclose something to you that should send up a red flag,” said Ester Anderson, Harris County prosecutor.
That's exactly what happened to Adovnik. When her son refused to reveal what was going on with her savings, she talked with an attorney at church.
Another attorney then alerted the District Attorney's office, and now her only son could be headed to jail.
In 2008, nearly 12,000 senior citizens in Houston suffered some sort of abuse and or neglect, including financial exploitation.
“It's happening every day and in every county,” said Anderson.
Anderson says when dealing with the elderly, everyone must keep their eyes open.
“We need family or friends intervening, good bankers that are watching out for them and doctors who are keeping an eye open,” said Anderson.
Anderson says if your own child is taking over your finances, a few checks and balances need to be put into place.
Anderson helped Mrs. Adovnik get her home back, but sadly many of her precious items were gone when she returned.
“They went through everything and there are lots of things missing,” said Adovnik.
She is also missing thousands of dollars from her bank account.
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090216_mp_senior-exploitation.227d879e.html
Damn, if you can't trust your own family that leaves know one to trust but yourself.
The 87-year-old senior says two of her children forced her to move into a nursing home. While she was there, her son, Delmar Douglas, allegedly stole much of her life savings.
“Don’t trust your family. They know what you've got and they want it,” said Adovnik.
It doesn't happen often, but in this case, Harris County prosecutors charged Delmar with a felony.
“If a child, a friend, a lawyer or anyone doesn't want to fully disclose something to you that should send up a red flag,” said Ester Anderson, Harris County prosecutor.
That's exactly what happened to Adovnik. When her son refused to reveal what was going on with her savings, she talked with an attorney at church.
Another attorney then alerted the District Attorney's office, and now her only son could be headed to jail.
In 2008, nearly 12,000 senior citizens in Houston suffered some sort of abuse and or neglect, including financial exploitation.
“It's happening every day and in every county,” said Anderson.
Anderson says when dealing with the elderly, everyone must keep their eyes open.
“We need family or friends intervening, good bankers that are watching out for them and doctors who are keeping an eye open,” said Anderson.
Anderson says if your own child is taking over your finances, a few checks and balances need to be put into place.
Anderson helped Mrs. Adovnik get her home back, but sadly many of her precious items were gone when she returned.
“They went through everything and there are lots of things missing,” said Adovnik.
She is also missing thousands of dollars from her bank account.
http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090216_mp_senior-exploitation.227d879e.html
Damn, if you can't trust your own family that leaves know one to trust but yourself.