An Oakland County judge blasted the Michigan Department of Human Services today for its repeated failures to take action in a 2007 case of elder neglect so severe it shocked veteran police investigators and resulted in the death of a 63-year-old Southfield woman.
Oakland Circuit Judge Nanci Grant voiced her anger, frustration and shock at the fact that DHS workers had four separate contacts over two years with Stephanie Cooper about the condition of her mother, Agnes, who was found living in squalor, sitting in her own urine and feces and ridden with bedsores, but still took no action and offered no assistance to the Cooper family.
Bedridden, Agnes Cooper was taken by ambulance from the home with flesh dropping from her body. Police reports show the home -- which was shared by Agnes, Stephanie and Stephanie's 9-year-old daughter -- was full of garbage, rotten food, maggots and feces.
Her death was ruled a homicide due to sepsis, multiple pressure sores and neglect.
Stephanie Cooper was criminally charged in the case and her daughter was removed from her custody.
Speaking at Cooper's sentencing on involuntary manslaughter charges, Grant said she spent two weeks poring over DHS reports in which case workers saw Agnes in deplorable living conditions and did nothing.
"If someone wants you to go to prison, someone from DHS would be going with you. They are equally culpable of your mother's death," Grant said Wednesday, ignoring a recommendation from probation that Cooper spend five years in prison for involuntary manslaughter and instead sentencing her to five years of probation.
"I'm astonished, embarrassed and offended by DHS who could have come into the probate court for guardianship. We don't let people die on their own," Grant said.
Full Article and Source:
Judge Blasts State Workers in Southfield Elder-Neglect Death
5 comments:
I don't know the full story but the Elder Protective services are more interested in legally kidnapping elders out of their homes if they have money and assets. These elders fill the facility beds of the state government and their affiliates while indigents are dying on the street. It's a profit GAME
Yes, the DHS workers are to blame as well.
However, their failure does not excuse Stephnie Cooper.
I am pleased with the judge's remarks. DHS needed a good blasting. They should be charged with elder abuse and labeled an elder abuser.
I thought the judge's remarks were long overdue, but at the same time, I think she should have locked both the DHS workers and the daughter up.
A woman died. All of those who were responsible for that death - which appears to be a torturous death - should be held accountable.
I think this happens alot. APS, DHS...whatever the name. THey're quick to accuse, but nobody's watching what they're doing.
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