By Gary Gould
Swanson said elder abuse charges have been brought against Frank Katulski, 63, of Mundy Township, a former roofer and construction business owner. He is accused of allowing his wife, who was suffering from a traumatic brain injury, to remain bedridden and unmoved for so long she developed ulcers in her skin.
Katulski’s wife, Belinda, 60, has since passed away, leaving the possibility of further charges, Swanson said.
He said the wife fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2019. She was transported to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital in Grand Rapids where she was cared for, but in 2020 Katulski lost his job and his health insurance was cut and he was forced to take care of her himself.
“The case is tragic because it could have been avoided,” said Swanson. “Not the accident, but the aftercare. Frank had the ability at that point to reach out. If the care of another individual is too much for you, or another person, or a companion pet, there are a thousand things you can do to get help including this office.”
Swanson alleged Katulski’s wife was left sitting on a bed for months and never moved. When that happens, he said, the skin breaks down from cutis ulcers. In this case it left a hole in the woman’s skin all the way through to the bone.
Katulski took her to Hurley Medical Center where health professionals, seeing signs of what they believed was neglect, called the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department Elder Abuse Task Force.
“There was an overwhelming burden of taking care of a person,” Swanson said. “I’m not making an excuse on any of that because we have a duty to take care of people, but when it’s too much for you, you can’t let people sit there and die. You can’t let animals starve to death. You can’t say there’s nobody out there to help you.”
Swanson said if someone finds themselves unable to take care of an elderly, disabled or bedridden loved one they can call 911, or the Sheriff’s office directly at 810-257-3422.
Luke Zelly, president and CEO of the Disability Network in Flint, said his organization is also there to help those who are struggling to take care of elderly or infirmed loved ones.
He said the public can ask for help by calling 810-742-1800.
Katulski is currently housed in the Genesee County Jail and hasn’t made bond.
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Mundy Township man charged with elder abuse
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