3 Kent County women face elder abuse charges in first sweep of state AG's task force

Three Kent County area women were in court Friday facing charges related to elder abuse as the state attorney general kicked off the first Elder Abuse Task Force listening tour in Grand Rapids, according to a statement from the AG's office. (WWMT/FILE)

KENT COUNTY, Mich. — Three Kent County area women were in court Friday facing charges related to elder abuse as the state attorney general kicked off the first Elder Abuse Task Force listening tour in Grand Rapids, according to a statement from the AG's office.

The three women were the first charged following the formation of attorney general Dana Nessel's task force established in March 2019. The three women charged include:

• Cesia Huitron, 26, of Wyoming, who was charged with a fourth degree misdemeanor of vulnerable adult abuse after an incident where she allegedly dismissed a resident's care plan, resulting in the resident being dropped and injured in July 2018.
• Kristin Chatman, 26, of Grand Rapids who was charged with two counts of fourth degree vulnerable adult abuse after failing to follow a resident's care plan that included using a Hoyer lift to transfer a resident between a bed and a wheelchair in July 2018.
• Kari Ann Yakes, 44, of Lake City who was charged with embezzlement by an agent or trustee over $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 after she allegedly spent thousands of dollars on herself and her family and disregarded the duty imposed on her by Kent County probate court following her appointment as guardian and conservator of her own father in June 2018.

“These three cases illustrate the incredible importance of our Elder Abuse Task Force and the need for community awareness, dialogue and solutions to help eliminate elder abuse in Michigan,” Nessel said in a statement. “Residents living in nursing homes are inherently vulnerable, incredibly dependent on others, and deserve the best care possible, which includes following their care plans which are put in place for a reason. Guardians are entrusted to safeguard, not raid, the assets of those they have been appointed to protect.”

All three women were arraigned Friday morning by Kent County 61st District Court judge Kimberly Schafer.

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3 Kent County women face elder abuse charges in first sweep of state AG's task force