Thursday, October 24, 2013

Sacramento caregiver to stand trial in death of 88-year-old


Both sides agree that Silvia Cata’s “Super Home Care” facility in Sacramento was “neat and clean,” and that 88-year-old Georgia Holzmeister seemed content to live there.

And that’s where the agreement pretty much ends.

On Tuesday – 16 months after the death of Holzmeister, who was hospitalized in June 2012 with gaping bedsores – Cata was ordered to stand trial in a unique criminal case being pursued by California’s attorney general.  Following a three-hour preliminary hearing, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Ernest W. Sawtelle found sufficient evidence that Cata be tried on felony charges of elder abuse and involuntary manslaughter.

The manslaughter charge is believed to be a first for state prosecutors in an elder-abuse case, filed by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse. In addition to the felony counts, the case against Cata moves forward with two special allegations that the elderly victim suffered great bodily injury, and that neglect and abuse caused her death.

Full Article and Source:
Sacramento caregiver to stand trial in death of 88-year-old

3 comments:

Thelma said...

Let's hope that this "first" is a win!

Ruth said...

How sad, to think one would live to 88 and then be murdered.

wiser now said...

Justice Department’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse

I hate to be negative with a positive news item however my feeling is the Medi-Cal fraud was the topic of interest that opened the door to the details of Ms. Cata's neglect and death.

The victim suffered. I can't imagine what she was thinking wondering if anyone would save her with inquiring mind into the medications forced on the victim.

It's our responsibility and duty to take a stand on these issues. I'm in it for a number of years with intent to remain active and away from the grips of court ordered hell of guardianship.