Sunday, March 7, 2010

Accused of Exploiting Dementia Patient

A Bismarck woman is accused of coercing an elderly man with dementia into giving her $110,000 a month before his death.

Rebecca Vandal was charged Tuesday in South Central District Court with exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The 49-year-old posted $10,000 bond.

Court documents say Vandal took 85-year-old Gerd Ebel on Jan. 6 to a bank, where he transferred $110,000 from a certificate of deposit into Vandal's account.

Court documents say Ebel was hospitalized Dec. 31 to Jan. 5, at which time a doctor ruled him incompetent to make decisions due to dementia.

Full Article and Source:
ND Woman Accused of Exploiting Dementia Patient

4 comments:

StandUp said...

Taking advantage of someone with dementia is the lowest of lows.

Anonymous said...

What a shame. In addition to feeling sorry for the victim, I think about how stupid it is to throw your life away at 49.

Lou said...

We are seeing this type of crime more and more. Exploitation of the elderly is common practice in most states and often permitted by circuit judges. The elderly are put under court appointed guardianship and then, let the exploitation begin till nothing is left then these poor victims are dumped off onto the failing medicaid system.

DDT said...

We need HRLP! Our mother has been placed in a relatives home who has been appointed quardian by the court. This relative is associated with a registered sex offender and various family members who have been arrested for assault. The judge did not want to hear any of that information and neither did the court appointed evaluator. We want to fight this but don't know how to start - we are in New York State. Please help!!!