The Milous Keith story ran a couple weeks ago. The article referenced Keith’s saga of being found incompetent by the courts and locked away in an Alzheimer’s ward, only later to be deemed competent and released.
During that time, he lost all his rights, most of his fortune and two years of his life.
The probate court said its actions of placing Keith with permanent guardianship were justified; others argued that a good ol‘ boy system saw Keith’s fortune and went for it. Everyone said a lack of oversight and an overwrought probate court were key problems in the case. And unfortunately, they all agreed it happens far more often than anyone really knows.
A nurse who actually cared for Keith during his “incarceration,” as she called it, said Keith’s stay was “false imprisonment.”
Nurse Carol Montgomery:
"It was horrible, Milous isn’t the only one who’s been treated this way. I’ve seen lots and lots of Milous’s."
"The nurses knew that Milous was having difficulties, but nothing that warranted him being in a locked-down unit."
"While the nurse aides may have been unaware that Keith was actually competent and able to make decisions, the R.N.’s could tell he was in the wrong place, but were powerless to act on it. And any complaints to administration fell on deaf ears."
"Once you’re in the social system, you’re done, because they just don’t care enough to find out what’s really going on."
A call to Adult Protective Services is what landed Keith in the probate court system in the first place. It was only a matter of days before he was signed over to an area law firm that served as the permanent guardian.
Source:
Milous Keith's nurse talks about overwrought social system
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During that time, he lost all his rights, most of his fortune and two years of his life.
The probate court said its actions of placing Keith with permanent guardianship were justified; others argued that a good ol‘ boy system saw Keith’s fortune and went for it. Everyone said a lack of oversight and an overwrought probate court were key problems in the case. And unfortunately, they all agreed it happens far more often than anyone really knows.
A nurse who actually cared for Keith during his “incarceration,” as she called it, said Keith’s stay was “false imprisonment.”
Nurse Carol Montgomery:
"It was horrible, Milous isn’t the only one who’s been treated this way. I’ve seen lots and lots of Milous’s."
"The nurses knew that Milous was having difficulties, but nothing that warranted him being in a locked-down unit."
"While the nurse aides may have been unaware that Keith was actually competent and able to make decisions, the R.N.’s could tell he was in the wrong place, but were powerless to act on it. And any complaints to administration fell on deaf ears."
"Once you’re in the social system, you’re done, because they just don’t care enough to find out what’s really going on."
A call to Adult Protective Services is what landed Keith in the probate court system in the first place. It was only a matter of days before he was signed over to an area law firm that served as the permanent guardian.
Source:
Milous Keith's nurse talks about overwrought social system
See also:
Nurse Carol Montgomery is a hero and an inspiration to us all that we must continue to stand up for the most vulnerable members of our society. We are their only hope.
ReplyDeleteCarol Montgomery is a very brave lady. I bet she sleeps soundly at night, knowing she did the right thing and didn't succumb when the heat was on her.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with the courage of Nurse Carol Montgomery for coming forward with what she knows, the truth.
ReplyDeleteMs. Montgomery is a role model, a shining star.
Thank you for making a difference.