Two US teen care givers charged with elder abuse

TWO teenage girls who worked at a nursing home have been charged with abuse, accused of taunting, spitting on and groping the breasts and genitals of residents who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia disorders.

According to the criminal complaint, 19-year-old Brianna Broitzman and 18-year-old Ashton Larson laughed earlier this year as they spat in residents’ mouths, poked and grabbed them, and at times mocked them until they screamed.

Broitzman and Larson, who worked as part-time aides at the home, have been charged as adults.

Larson’s father disputed the charges against his daughter.

“Not all of the charges are as they appear. Much of this has been distorted by the news media,” Michael Larson said. “My daughter was doing nothing more than performing the duties of her job.”

Four other teens who worked with the girls at the Good Samaritan Society in Minnesota were charged as juveniles for failing to report the incidents.

A total of eight teens were allegedly involved, but there was no record of criminal charges being filed against two of them.

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. .

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.