Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.

WATERBURY — A probate judge will consider arguments to seal a file involving the 32-year-old man police said was held captive by his stepmother for more than 20 years.   

A court-appointed conservator and an attorney for the victim are seeking to have the probate case sealed.

A CT Insider reporter objected to the request during a hearing this week in probate court, arguing the public has a vested interest in ensuring that judicial proceedings remain transparent, particularly in cases involving allegations of abuse, and it would limit oversight of the system meant to protect individuals in similar situations. 

The probate file contained notices of hearings in the case and documents requesting a judge appointing a conservator. 

The judge on Monday sealed the file temporarily until April 7 when he is expected to issue a final ruling. 

A probate judge appointed the conservator at the request from staff at the Connecticut hospital where the victim has been rehabilitating since police say he set fire to his room at a Blake Street house in February in a bid for freedom. CT Insider is withholding the name of the facility to protect the victim's privacy.

The man's stepmother, Kimberly Sullivan, 56, has been charged in connection with his captivity, which police say began when he was 11 years old.

Sullivan is charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree assault, cruelty to a person, first-degree unlawful restraint and first-degree reckless endangerment. She is free on $300,000 bail and is not allowed to have any contact with her stepson.

Sullivan's attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, said his client denies the allegations.

The victim has been under tight security at the Connecticut facility, which has not permitted access to him to "protect this very fragile patient," according to a letter by the hospital's attorney. CT Insider reviewed the letter before the judge temporarily sealed the probate file on Monday.

The hospital wouldn't even allow the victim to be served for the purposes of Monday's probate court hearing. The hospital cited in the letter the "very special circumstances of the subject's patient's admission, including an extensive history of abuse, isolation and emotional trauma."

The victim described to police years of forced isolation, limited to two sandwiches and two small bottles of water a day, according to the warrant for Sullivan's arrest. The room, approximately 9 feet by 8 feet, had an exterior slide lock, reinforced plywood and no bathroom access, the warrant said. Investigators found evidence supporting the man's claims, including remnants of the locked door and makeshift waste disposal methods he was forced to use, according to the warrant. 

When firefighters responded to the February blaze at the home, they found the victim emaciated, weighing just 68 pounds at 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with severe muscle atrophy and decayed teeth, according to the warrant. 

Medical reports confirmed he suffered from extreme malnutrition and had not received any documented medical treatment since childhood, the warrant said. His body mass index was recorded at 11, significantly below the threshold for starvation, according to the warrant.

Full Article & Source:
Conservator for Waterbury man held captive for decades wants case file sealed

See Also:
New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Attorney General Brown Announces Sentencing Of Caregiver For Financial Exploitation Of A Vulnerable Adult

BALTIMORE, MD (March 21, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the sentencing of Tavonia Stackhouse, 47, of Randallstown, Maryland, and Monica Brown, 49, of Baltimore, Maryland, relating to the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult while the victim lived at Rescuing Hearts Assisted Living Facility in Baltimore City. Stackhouse owned the assisted living facility and Brown was a caretaker at the facility.

From August of 2022 to May of 2023, Stackhouse and Brown used the bank account of a vulnerable adult who lived at their assisted living facility as if it were their own. When the vulnerable adult confronted them, Stackhouse and Brown said the victim was delusional and aggressive. This allegation led to the victim being hospitalized and later relocated to a different facility.

“Residents of assisted living facilities depend on their caretakers to look out for their best interests—not to exploit them,” said Attorney General Brown. “Financial abuse of vulnerable adults is a serious betrayal of trust, and our Office will always stand up for Marylanders who cannot advocate for themselves, holding accountable those who take advantage of them.”

On March 03, 2025, Stackhouse pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult before the Honorable Judge Althea Handy of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Handy sentenced her to five years, suspending all but 60 days in jail with three years of supervised probation, and to pay restitution of $25,291.80.

On March 18, 2025, Brown pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult before the Honorable Judge Barry Williams of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Williams sentenced her to five years, suspended all but time served, with three years of supervised probation, restitution of $3,000.00, and 100 hours of community service.

As terms of probation, both defendants were ordered not to provide care for vulnerable adults or participate in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federally funded health program.

In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, particularly Deputy Director Lisa Hyle Marts, Assistant Attorney General Kurt Davidson, Investigator Kevin Clements, Investigator Edward Gray, and Fraud Analyst David Minzer for their work on this case.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $6,845,828 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,281,939 for FY 2025, is funded by the State of Maryland.

Source:
Attorney General Brown Announces Sentencing Of Caregiver For Financial Exploitation Of A Vulnerable Adult

Officials make people aware of scams

OAK HARBOR — Earlier this month, Oak Harbor's government and police department hosted a seminar on financial exploitation and scam awareness at the Oak Harbor Public Library.

"After the presentation, attendees shared ways they had been a victim or avoided a scam in the past," according to a village statement. "It was very insightful and open dialogue about how we can help each other stay safe as a community."

The police department offered up some major clues in recognizing scams.

As explained by police, scammers often:

• Contact people in an unexpected way

• Are in a hurry or a rush; "Scammers want to speed things up so the victim doesn’t think things through or recognize clues," according to a department statement.

• Tell victims how to pay such as through gift cards, cryptocurrency, cash/wire transfers and payment applications, like PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, etc.

"If you ever have a question about whether something may be a scam, Oak Harbor police is happy to spend time with you and discuss what is going on before you make a payment."

People can contact the department by calling 419-898-2055.

Full Article & Source:
Officials make people aware of scams

Attorney General Bonta: Unlicensed Room and Board Operator Charged with Grand Theft from an Elder

OAKLAND– California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that felony grand theft charges have been filed against an unlicensed Room and Board Operator who allegedly stole from an elder resident while the resident was hospitalized. The California Department of Justice initiated an investigation based on a complaint referral from Contra Costa County Adult Protective Services regarding allegations of financial exploitation, neglect, psychological abuse, and isolation at unlicensed facilities operated in Contra Costa. The investigation revealed from May to September 2021, the Room and Board Operator fraudulently withdrew money on multiple occasions from the elder adult’s bank account.  
 
“Caregivers of seniors and dependent adults bear a significant responsibility to prioritize the safety and overall health of those in their care,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we are dedicated to combating all forms of elder abuse and neglect. We will act swiftly to hold accountable anyone who harms or takes advantage of these at-risk members of our community.”
 
The complaint was filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court and charges include grand theft from an elder adult and grand theft by access card. The defendant self-surrendered to the Contra Costa Superior court  and will be arraigned on April 16, 2025.

It is important to note that criminal charges must be proven in a court of law. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

DMFEA works to protect Californians by investigating and prosecuting those responsible for abuse, neglect, and fraud committed against elderly and dependent adults in the state, and those who perpetrate fraud on the Medi-Cal program.
 
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $69,244,976 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of California. FY 2025 is from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025.
 
A copy of the complaint can be found here.

Source:
Attorney General Bonta: Unlicensed Room and Board Operator Charged with Grand Theft from an Elder

Neglect at Chillicothe nursing facility raises concerns

by The Guardian

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — A Chillicothe nursing and rehabilitation facility is facing allegations of neglect after a resident reported being locked in a room, physically mishandled by staff, and denied necessary medication.

Neglect and Abuse Allegations

A resident of Legacy, located on Columbus Street in Chillicothe reported to police that she was locked in a room while suffering from the flu. According to police documents, she “stated that she did not have the proper care from the staff and that the room was not suitable to be in.” She also said that when she tried to get out, she was “banging on the door to be let out and that none of the staff would let her out.” When she asked if she could at least keep the door open due to her claustrophobia, she stated, “the staff just shut the door on her.”

In addition to being allegedly confined against her will, the resident claims she was physically injured by the staff while being moved. According to the police report, she “stated she was transported to ARMC because staff at Legacy bumped her head when they were moving her from beds.” The extent of her head injury was not disclosed in the report.

Further allegations of mistreatment include improper handling by nurses when assisting her. The resident reported that “when she was being changed by nurses she asked the nurse not to grab her left knee because it needs to be replaced.” Despite this, she stated that “the nurse continued to grab her knee and roll her over with it,” causing significant pain and leading her to seek X-rays.

Additionally, the resident accused the facility of withholding her prescribed medication. The police report notes that she “stated that the staff at Legacy have been withholding her medication Celebrex and not giving it to her.” She also claimed that “the doctors have taken her off the medication and has requested to be back on it and has not received any answers.”

Police Response

Despite the severity of the allegations, local law enforcement took no apparent investigative action at the facility. Instead, the responding officer documented the claims and deferred the matter to another agency, stating in the report, “I referred [the resident] to contact the Ohio Department of Health to file a complaint and to obtain resources for the situation.” While the report ends with the phrase “investigation continues,” it provides no indication of any further steps taken by police.

Full Article & Source:
Neglect at Chillicothe nursing facility raises concerns

Carthage couple charged with stealing from elderly

by John Hacker

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Two Carthage residents face criminal charges related to stealing from an elderly Carthage resident over a period of about three years.

Wendy Beth Harris, 46, and Casey Harris, 49, both of Carthage, were charged Tuesday with one felony count each of financial exploitation of an elder and stealing. Wendy Harris was also charged with fraudulent use of a credit or debit device.

A probable-cause statement filed Tuesday by Carthage Detective Trent McMain said the victim, who was more than 70 years old, had more than $270,000 taken from her checking and savings in the form of checks written to Wendy Harris, Casey Harris and a company named Harris Renovations.

Police say Harris Renovations is a company the two own and founded in 2016.

The company’s website, https://harrisrenovations llc.com/about-harris- renovations, says Casey and Wendy Harris are husband and wife.

The thefts are alleged to have happened between Jan. 1, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2025. Police were called about the reported stealing and financial exploitation of an elderly person Dec. 31, 2024.

The statement says Wendy Harris opened a Lowe’s credit card and purchased more than $90,000 worth of construction material under the name of the victim.

According to the statement, Wendy Harris and her company used the items purchased from Lowe’s to complete construction and renovation jobs for other paying clients.

Police say detectives asked to speak with Wendy Harris and Casey Harris and that they declined.

The charges filed by the Jasper County prosecutor’s office say Casey Harris and Wendy Harris worked together to use “undue influence over (the victim) via the improper or fraudulent use of power of attorney and thereby knowingly obtained control and appropriated money from the bank accounts which were the property of (the victim).”

Warrants for the arrests of Wendy Harris and Casey Harris were issued Thursday.

Full Article & Source:
Carthage couple charged with stealing from elderly

Agreement reached in Emergency Protective Order case against former Gov. Matt Bevin

By Derek Brightwell

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - An agreement has been reached in the Emergency Protective Order case filed by the son of former Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin against his adopted parents. The former governor was ordered by a judge Tuesday not to contact his adopted son, Jonah, or else face criminal charges.

The case originated after Jonah Bevin alleged he was physically and emotionally abused under the guardianship of Matt and Glenna Bevin. He also says he went through therapy and was even sent to a Jamaican facility where he described accounts of being beaten and waterboarded.

After a contentious hearing last Thursday that was expected to continue Tuesday, attorneys for Jonah quickly put an end to the hearing, saying that all parties involved had come to an agreement.

The agreement called for different terms for each parent.

Former Gov. Bevin agreed to a six month EPO starting Tuesday, March 25, meaning no contact with Jonah and potential jail time if he violates the order during that time period. Following the expiration of the order, Bevin will be placed under a court-ordered civil restraining order from Jonah, which carries less severe penalties if broken.

Former First Lady Glenna Bevin agreed to an immediate Civil Restraining Order, and no EPO.

The exact terms of the civil restraining orders still have to be worked out amongst attorneys.

The order also calls for the former governor to turn over any information he may have regarding Jonah’s biological parents in Ethiopia. According to Jonah, the Bevins told him his entire life that his biological parents were dead, only to later bait him with a trip to Ethiopia to supposedly meet his biological mother.

The confusion was the focal point of hearings Tuesday, as it’s still unknown whether or not Jonah’s parents are alive and where exactly they are. By court order, if Bevin knows this information, he must turn it over to his adopted son.

Following the conclusion of the hearing Tuesday, attorneys for Jonah spoke to the press, while the former governor and attorneys for the Bevins refused to answer any questions.

“I got what I needed,” Jonah said. “It looked like to everybody that Matt Bevin had everything figured out in his life, but he had nothing figured out. There’s an image they want people to see, and they don’t want an actual image of what is actually going on in their homes, and today we brought it out. We brought out what he didn’t want people to see.”

Attorneys for Jonah said the decision Tuesday was just the “first step” in a likely long legal battle. They’re still pursuing criminal charges in connection to Jonah’s abandonment at a Jamaican facility, which was shut down after documented cases of abuse and neglect.

Jonah said he wants to stand up and speak out for all of the kids still trapped in facilities like the one he was rescued from.

He said while he doesn’t know where his parents are or if they’re alive, he’s looking forward to finding out.

“I do desire to talk to and be with my family but the thing is, Matt has the information,” Jonah said. “And I know that he has the information, because he had texted the information to me and deleted it. So, I have no further information, but I have to get those things from Matt, and we will get those things from Matt.”

Jonah says he has exciting plans for his new life, although he couldn’t say where he’ll be going next.

The former governor is estranged from his wife, Glenna, and has lived a relatively reclusive lifestyle since his disappointing loss to current Governor Andy Beshear in 2019. It’s unclear what their next move will be, as they refused to answer reporter questions.

Full Article & Source:
Agreement reached in Emergency Protective Order case against former Gov. Matt Bevin

AG Nessel Marks 6th Anniversary of Elder Abuse Task Force

March 25, 2025

LANSING – Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is recognizing the sixth anniversary of the Elder Abuse Task Force, applauding its efforts to protect Michigan’s aging population. Since its launch in 2019, the Task Force has united more than 55 different organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors to combat elder abuse and reduce barriers affecting seniors. 

“Over the past six years, the Elder Abuse Task Force has played a crucial role in raising public awareness about equipping communities with the tools to identify and prevent elder abuse,” Nessel said. “I am incredibly proud of the Task Force’s work, from successfully advocating for stronger legal protections to publishing best practices for investigating elder abuse allegations and holding abusers accountable. But there is still more work to do. We will continue to push for long-overdue reforms to ensure every Michigander is treated with dignity and respect.”

“It is an honor to lead this team of selfless, dedicated professionals whose sole mission is to speak for those who can’t speak for themselves and fight for those who can’t fight for themselves,” said Scott Teter, Division Chief of the Department of Attorney General Financial Crimes Division and head of the Elder Abuse Task Force. “The resistance from those vested and entrenched in a broken system is regrettable and fails to recognize the common-sense reforms that Michigan’s system has needed for 25 years. By 2030, Michigan is projected to have 2 million residents 65 and up. Reform can’t wait and we won’t stop working.”

The more than 100 individuals on the Task Force are divided into seven committees working diligently to accomplish nine initiatives (PDF), including more wholesale reforms, including requiring certification and training for professional guardians.

Achievements include the adoption of a Vulnerable Adult Incident Report form for investigations by law enforcement across the state, including the implementation of related trainings. The Task Force has trained hundreds of police officers, prosecutors and Adult Protective Services workers. The training videos have been viewed thousands of times. In addition to the vulnerable adult incident report and associated trainings, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act was passed that ensures mandated reporting for financial institutions on suspected fraud or exploitation. Financial advisors and securities brokers were also added as mandatory reporters in a separate law. The Uniform Power of Attorney Act was passed and became effective July 1, 2024, to make powers of attorney more accessible with a standard form in the statute. Attorney General Dana Nessel recently released a public service announcement explaining the new law.

More than 73,000 older adults in Michigan are victims of elder abuse. They experience abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Michigan residents seeking elder abuse resources are encouraged to call 800-24-ABUSE (22873), or 855-444-3911 to report suspected elder abuse.

Source:
AG Nessel Marks 6th Anniversary of Elder Abuse Task Force

In-home worker accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from client

A Doniphan woman accused of stealing money from a woman in her care is scheduled to be in court next month

By Amber Ruch

DONIPHAN, Mo. (KFVS) - An in-home worker is accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from her client.

Robin Anna Wagner, 34, of Doniphan, was arrested on March 4 for felony financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person.

She posted her $10,000 surety bond. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, April 16.

According to online court documents, the victim told officers she was taken to the hospital on February 25 and gave Wagner, her in-home worker, her purse that had $725 inside.

The victim told them Wagner said she would put the money in her safe at her house. When the victim returned home, she noticed her money was missing and said Wagner had blocked her from being able to contact her directly.

According to court documents, on March 4, Wagner went to the police department lobby to turn herself in.

Police say she told them her client went to the hospital and gave her $500 to pay bills while she was there.

According to court documents, Wagner told police that on March 1 she noticed her safe with the $500 in it was missing. She said she last saw her safe in her apartment on Feb. 28.

Full Article & Source:
In-home worker accused of stealing hundreds of dollars from client

'Appalling findings': Audit of Florida's guardianship watchdog agency exposes guardianship failures

OPPG received 174 complaints against professional guardians in two years but rarely took action

An audit of the Office of Public and Professional Guardians shows systematic failures, including failure to develop and implement monitoring tools to make sure guardians comply with the law.

By: Adam Walser

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Auditor has released a scathing report involving the Office of Public and Professional Guardians or OPPG.

Under guardianship, a judge takes away a person’s rights and appoints someone to manage their finances and other aspects of their lives.

State lawmakers created OPPG to police guardians and protect wards under their care, like Willi Berchau, whose story prompted the creation of the watchdog agency in 2015.

Since OPPG opened, millions of tax dollars have been spent on funding the agency, even though auditors say it is failing some of Florida’s most vulnerable seniors.

“They can do whatever they want with you”

The I-Team's investigation into Florida's broken guardianship system started in 2013.

“My court-appointed guardian doesn’t allow me to leave the premises,” Willi Berchau told us when we secretly interviewed him at a church.

The 99-year-old German immigrant had been placed by his court-appointed guardian in a locked-down dementia unit where he didn’t belong.

“You see nobody. You have no contact with anybody,” Berchau said. “If you stayed there any longer, you would mentally go down. Mentally.”

Three months after our first story, a judge restored Berchau’s rights.

“The trouble is, if you have nobody behind your back, they can do whatever they want with you,” Berchau's said at a pizza party his friends threw for him on the day he was released.

In 2015, Florida lawmakers created the Office of Public and Professional Guardians, or OPPG, to protect people in guardianship from isolation, exploitation and abuse.

Former Florida Senator Jeff Brandes was one of the sponsors of the law.

“Willi’s story is what prompted it. We heard the story, and it was so compelling, and we knew that we needed to do something,” Brandes said at the time.

But a recent audit shows OPPG is failing those it is supposed to protect.

Professional guardians received 174 complaints in two years

“This is actually a follow-up audit we did. And to be honest, in some respects, it was worse the second time around,” Deputy Auditor Matthew Tracy told a State Senate committee last month, sharing results from a 33-page audit report.

The audit shows the state’s 566 professional guardians received 174 complaints.

It said OPPG “had not developed and implemented an effective monitoring tool” to make sure guardians complied with state law.

“The extent of the department's oversight of this was a self-asked questionnaire that asked basically did you comply with our requirements and how many wards did you monitor? Basically it was like grading your own test in school,” Tracy said.

The report also said OPPG didn’t promptly address serious complaints.

“People are being kept from their families. They take their money. They sell the house from underneath them,” Tracy testified.

The I-Team previously reported how OPPG often took years to investigate complaints.

“They go to a black hole,” Black said.

Gov. DeSantis acknowledged problems in 2019

Our reporting got Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attention in 2019.

“What troubled me about some of the issues you guys raised was obviously bad things are happening but there doesn’t seem to be anyone held accountable,” he said.

At that time, the I-Team reported OPPG had 132 open investigations.

“I think that over 130 cases and nothing has happened to anybody, that just doesn’t strike me as being acceptable,” DeSantis said.

The entire OPPG administrative staff resigned, but a year later, little had changed.

In 2020, the I-Team obtained internal documents showing a huge backlog of cases, many dating back to before the resignations.

“Every month I’m calling"

Among the cases ... complaints from Terri Kennedy about her Aunt Lille White’s guardianship.

“I never thought anything like this could have happened,” White said in a cell phone video Kennedy recorded the last time she saw her aunt.

Lillie was isolated from family after a dispute over who would inherit her fortune.

“Every month I’m calling and saying another year, another week, another month. Where’s the report?” Kennedy said.

Three years after filing a complaint, OPPG finally sent Kennedy a letter saying her allegations were substantiated, finding her Aunt Lillie’s guardian wasn’t registered and improperly billed her.

But OPPG didn’t discipline the guardian and closed the case.

“I was so angry when I got the OPPG letter,” Kennedy said.

Lillie died the next year.

“She died alone without her family knowing, and two weeks later we find out,” Kennedy said.

We uncovered that OPPG found that at least 8 other guardians broke the law but were allowed to continue serving as guardians.

“They got maybe a requirement to take a couple of continuing education classes, but you can keep the money that mysteriously disappeared,” Black said, describing how OPPG handled cases of guardians who were found to violate the Florida Guardianship statute.

Lawmakers at the hearing where the audit was presented were shocked by the auditors’ recent findings.

“The things that we're hearing in this committee are really appalling,” said Sen. Tom Wright (R-Port Orange).

“Accountability is something we owe our population,” Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) said.

Advocates say unless OPPG begins to hold guardians accountable, more people like Willi Berchau will be isolated, exploited and abused.

“These are our most vulnerable members of our population. And they have almost no protections when they are in the adult guardianship system in the state of Florida,” Black said.

“I think it should be shut down and something else put in place,” Hogue said.

The Department of Elder Affairs Secretary didn’t agree to an interview

We requested an on-camera interview with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham.

Her agency oversees OPPG.

We sent multiple emails and a list of topics we wanted to ask her about, but she didn’t agree to an interview.

Branham has an open invitation to sit down with us and discuss the ongoing and recurring problems at OPPG.

The previous OPPG director resigned before the audit was released.

He was the agency’s third director since it opened.

You can find out more about Florida’s broken guardianship system by checking out our years’ long series “The Price of Protection.”

Full Article & Source:
'Appalling findings': Audit of Florida's guardianship watchdog agency exposes guardianship failures

Addressing the School-to-Guardianship Pipeline

Approximately 1.5 million adults are under active guardianship or conservatorship, according to Bloomberg Law. An unknown number of these adults are young adults with disabilities, often intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). These young adults are often funneled into guardianship by what the National Council on Disability (NCD) in its 2018 report called the “school-to-guardianship pipeline,” a phenomenon where schools are, by default, recommending to parents that they start the process of assuming guardianship over their disabled child before they become an adult. The NCD stated that schools often recommend guardianship due to the widespread and erroneous belief that people with disabilities are less capable of making autonomous decisions. This line of thinking is unnecessary, Jonathan Martinis, Senior Director for Law and Policy, Esq., J.D. at Syracuse University’s Burton Blatt Institute, said in an interview with the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights, because it frequently strips adults capable of making their own decisions of their rights.

“What rights are the most important to you?” Martinis asked, rhetorically, then enumerated some examples of freedoms that the average American has, such as the freedom of speech or to determine one’s living or work arrangements. He added, “If those rights are important to you, then that answers the question” of why guardianship should not be the default for students who have reached the age of majority. “Because, by definition, guardianship takes away rights from people.” Studies have shown that when people with disabilities have more control over their lives, when they have self-determination, they tend to thrive at school, work, and in their communities.

Schools should be suggesting alternatives to guardianship to parents instead, Martinis said. He is best known for his work on Supported Decision-Making (SDM), an alternative to guardianship and a process of making decisions with the support of one’s community. Through SDM, adults with disabilities can make informed decisions, maintaining their autonomy and independence, and fulfilling one of the mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act to enable students to “be prepared to lead productive and independent adult lives, to the maximum extent possible.”

Martinis secured a major victory for proponents of SDM more than a decade ago. On August 2, 2013, a judge declared that Jenny Hatch, then a 29-year-old woman with Down syndrome under a temporary guardianship she did not want, could, after one year, regain decision-making authority. Most significantly, the Court determined that, while in guardianship and after the guardianship terminated, Hatch should use SDM. Since then, more than half of the states in the U.S. have changed their laws to recognize SDM as an alternative to guardianship. Particularly noteworthy, six states and D.C. have passed laws that recognize SDM within transition planning and transfer-of-rights discussions for students with disabilities approaching the age of majority.

Asked how parents, many of whom don’t have the money to hire an attorney, can determine whether guardianship is necessary, Martinis responded that they can ask the school, “Where is my child needing support?” Once it’s clear what those needs are, parents and school can start to address them. And it’s best to include the student, who can use SDM to develop a plan, Martinis said.

The District of Columbia Public Schools created the first education policy on SDM. “They talk about working with kids in pre-K on building networks to help them make decisions,” Martinis said. “I always say it sounds like a joke. You have a three-year-old trying to decide between cookies and crackers or orange juice and apple juice. But here’s why it’s brilliant. Because if you take a pre-K student and tell them that they have a choice to make, and [that] it’s their choice to make, and that they should seek help and support in making that choice, what you’ve done is you’ve started a habit. And as decisions get tougher, as they get older, they’ll use that habit, and they’ll know that decision-making is important, and that support is important, and those things carry through the rest of their lives.”

Rebecca Smith-Hill, Ph.D., serves as Associate Director, Center for Transition Research and Leadership at the University of South Carolina, and is a social worker, a former middle school and high school special education teacher, and an adjunct professor. She agrees that teaching students SDM skills early on is critical. She said that the issue at the heart of the pipeline is “the over-protection of people with disabilities—in particular, those with an intellectual disability.” Smith-Hill added that “the whole idea of low expectations for people with disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities, must be changed for the guardianship conversation to change substantially.”

Smith-Hill has written about the role of social workers in improving transition outcomes through alternatives to guardianship. She noted that there are “so many alternatives to guardianship—and there are alternatives along a continuum as well,” including medical or financial power of attorney. Social workers should learn as much as they can about SDM and then share their knowledge with other social workers, professionals, teachers, and parents. Smith-Hill added that “social workers who are doing direct service/support work with students with disabilities can empower these folks by giving them opportunities for and teaching them skills toward self-determination,” and that their parents should be educated on their importance.

Shawn Ullman serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Quality Trust, a DC-based nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the supports and services they need to live full and meaningful lives. In an interview with the Commission, she stated that lawyers working with young adults with disabilities and their families “have a responsibility to ensure they understand and are guiding their clients through the wide array of decision-making options available beyond guardianship.”

Quality Trust helped create the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making, launched in January 2015. For more than a decade, the Center has trained thousands of people throughout the country on SDM and continues to provide training and technical assistance. They also assist young adults residing in the District of Columbia to execute legal documents that implement alternatives to guardianship, such as SDM Agreements and Powers of Attorney.

Funding cuts to federal programs and other legislative decisions could exacerbate the school-to-guardianship pipeline, Ullman and Smith-Hill said. For example, if Medicaid is cut or restructured, fewer services funded through Medicaid such as in-home care will be available, which could “roll back decades of advocacy for people with disabilities and a possible regression to large, congregate facilities where people are isolated from their families and support networks, have limited if any choices, and little opportunity for employment or growth toward independence,” Ullman explained.

In conclusion, where guardianship is being considered for special education students who age out of IDEA eligibility (usually age 21 or upon graduation), it is essential that schools, parents, social workers, and lawyers explore alternatives such as SDM that empower individuals with disabilities to make informed choices about how they want to live their lives. 

Full Article & Source:
Addressing the School-to-Guardianship Pipeline

Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call

Witness the harrowing 911 call of Kimberly Sullivan, a stepson's captivity horror that will leave you shaken to the core. With a shocking testimony that's reminiscent of Texas Chainsaw level terror, the son recounts his emotional survival story of true crime and victim testimony. This crime documentary real story is not for the faint of heart, but for true crime fanatics, it's a must-listen. In the face of harrowing experiences is a testament to the human spirit, Kimberley's 911 call to action will leave you wanting more. So, buckle up and get ready for a true crime story that will haunt you long after the call ends.

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Why Kimberly Sullivan Made A SHOCKING 911 Call 

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New details emerge after man held hostage for 20 years in Waterbury 

Most aging Americans will need long-term care in their lifetime. Loved ones often take on the labor and costs.

By Mark Strassmann, Samantha Wender

Since 2017, three generations have taken care of Gladys Ortiz, an 83-year-old woman who lives in Miami and struggles with Parkinson's and dementia. Among them is her daughter, Yanira Portuondo, who views being a caregiver for Ortiz as a second, full-time job.

"She's having hallucinations. Sometimes she doesn't recognize me. There are days that, going from the living room to the bathroom, she gets lost," Portuondo said.

Without help, Portuondo says her mom "wouldn't last a week by herself."

The family is luckier than some. Medicaid pays for a home care aide to pitch in 38 hours a week. But that still leaves 130 hours in a week — every week — where the family's spending time and money on her care.

"Everyone has a life of their own, of course, but the priority is making sure she's okay. We try to make sure that everybody's needs have been met," Portuondo said.

Nearly 70% of Americans aged 65 and older will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — and the cost of this type of care will likely be difficult to pay out of pocket for many Americans.

"If you're not a caregiver, you'll either need caregiving or you'll become a caregiver," said Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, the CEO of AARP.

That's why the issue is one of the organization's top priorities.

"I definitely think it's a crisis. How do I make decisions about their care? How do I have the financial means to be able to do this?" Minter-Jordan said.

In the U.S., family caregivers, on average, spend a quarter of their income taking care of loved ones, according to AARP.

Some states are looking to help ease the burden. In 2023, Washington state added a payroll tax, money now used to fund long-term care insurance for its residents. A dozen other states are considering variations of long-term care taxes. AARP is also advocating for a $5,000 federal tax credit to benefit caregiving families.

"It's not going away, and the problem is only going to increase," Minter-Jordan said.

Meanwhile, Portuondo worries about the future — in 20 years, will her daughter have to care for her?

"I could never have imagined I would be in this position ever," Portuondo said. "Most of the time, I'm exhausted. But every time she gives me one of those smiles, you know, it gives me a little strength to keep going."

For millions of American families, caregiving is a labor of love that can demand every bit of both.

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Most aging Americans will need long-term care in their lifetime. Loved ones often take on the labor and costs.

IndyStar's yearslong investigation reveals extent of Indiana nursing home scheme

by Eric Larsen, Indianapolis Star

IndyStar investigation reveals billions diverted from Indiana nursing homes

State inspection report, Aperion Care Arbors Michigan City, May 20, 2019.

Just what is essential and exclusive local journalism, you ask? IndyStar investigative reporter Tony Cook has been delivering it for years.

Cook's latest reporting is a continuation of a 2020 investigation into Indiana county hospitals diverting Medicaid funds meant for the nursing homes they operate. That scheme has allowed the hospitals to to pad their bottom lines and pay for construction and other projects unrelated to nursing home care at a time when nursing home staffing in Indiana is among the worst in the nation.

Cook's reporting published this week uses data that was partially obtained through a public records lawsuit filed by IndyStar in 2022 to show, as he wrote, that "County-owned hospitals in Indiana have diverted away more than $2.5 billion in Medicaid money intended to provide care at nursing homes, leaving sick and elderly residents to languish in some of the most poorly staffed facilities in America."

A companion piece published Thursday shows that despite efforts to slash federal spending in President Donald Trump's second term, there's little appetite so far to address this scheme that's impacting the care of Indiana's most vulnerable residents.

Cook's dogged reporting is emblematic of IndyStar's commitment to watchdog and accountability journalism. Our investigative and expanded government accountability teams have worked independently and in collaboration to bring readers revelatory reporting about how decisions by Indiana's most powerful organizations impact our daily lives.

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IndyStar's yearslong investigation reveals extent of Indiana nursing home scheme

AG: Baltimore assisted living facility owner sentenced 5 years for exploiting vulnerable adult

Rescuing Hearts Assisted Living Facility owner, caretaker guilty of exploiting victim

by Kayla Morton  

BALTIMORE —

An owner of a Baltimore assisted living facility has been sentenced to five years after using a bank account of a patient in her care, the Maryland Attorney General's Office said Friday.

Tavonia Stackhouse, the owner of the Rescuing Hearts Assisted Living Facility, pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and caretaker Monica Brown was also charged, the attorney general said.

Officials said the vulnerable adult ended up hospitalized after having confronted Stackhouse and Brown in May 2023. The attorney general's office said Stackhouse pleaded guilty on March 3 and Brown pleaded guilty shortly thereafter.

A judge sentenced Stackhouse to five years, suspending all but 60 days in jail, with three years of supervised probation, the attorney general's office said. Stackhouse was also ordered to pay more than $25,000 in restitution.

Brown also pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. She also must serve five years, pay $3,000 in restitution, complete 100 community service hours and face three years of supervised probation, the attorney general's office said.

Stackhouse and Brown's probation terms also state that they are ordered not to provide care for vulnerable adults or participate in Medicare, Medicaid or any other federally funded health program.

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AG: Baltimore assisted living facility owner sentenced 5 years for exploiting vulnerable adult

Maryland Women Sentenced for Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult, Ordered to Pay Over $28,000 in Restitution

By Patrick Herron

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the sentencing of Tavonia Stackhouse and Monica Brown for financially exploiting a vulnerable adult at Rescuing Hearts Assisted Living Facility in Baltimore City. Stackhouse was sentenced to 60 days in jail and restitution of $25,291.80, while Brown received time served, restitution of $3,000, and 100 hours of community service, with both defendants barred from providing care for vulnerable adults or participating in federally funded health programs.

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced the sentencing of Tavonia Stackhouse, 47, of Randallstown, Maryland, and Monica Brown, 49, of Baltimore, Maryland, relating to the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult while the victim lived at Rescuing Hearts Assisted Living Facility in Baltimore City. Stackhouse owned the assisted living facility, and Brown was a caretaker at the facility.

From August of 2022 to May of 2023, Stackhouse and Brown used the bank account of a vulnerable adult who lived at their assisted living facility as if it were their own. When the vulnerable adult confronted them, Stackhouse and Brown said the victim was delusional and aggressive. This allegation led to the victim being hospitalized and later relocated to a different facility.

“Residents of assisted living facilities depend on their caretakers to look out for their best interests—not to exploit them,” said Attorney General Brown. “Financial abuse of vulnerable adults is a serious betrayal of trust, and our Office will always stand up for Marylanders who cannot advocate for themselves, holding accountable those who take advantage of them.”

On March 3, 2025, Stackhouse pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult before the Honorable Judge Althea Handy of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Handy sentenced her to five years, suspending all but 60 days in jail with three years of supervised probation, and to pay restitution of $25,291.80.

On March 18, 2025, Brown pleaded guilty to financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult before the Honorable Judge Barry Williams of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Williams sentenced her to five years, suspended all but time served, with three years of supervised probation, restitution of $3,000.00, and 100 hours of community service.

As terms of probation, both defendants were ordered not to provide care for vulnerable adults or participate in Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federally funded health program.

In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, particularly Deputy Director Lisa Hyle Marts, Assistant Attorney General Kurt Davidson, Investigator Kevin Clements, Investigator Edward Gray, and Fraud Analyst David Minzer for their work on this case.

The Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $6,845,828 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,281,939 for FY 2025, is funded by the State of Maryland.

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Maryland Women Sentenced for Financial Exploitation of Vulnerable Adult, Ordered to Pay Over $28,000 in Restitution

The Successes and Challenges of Navigating Company Websites to Report Fraud

By Alicia R. Williams, AARP Research 

Imposter scams are on the rise, with criminals posing as representatives of businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits to steal personal information and money.  According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), business and government imposter scams were the most reported form of imposter scams in 2023, resulting in over $1.1 billion in losses.

This research report reveals the following:

• Over the past three years, approximately one in eight adults (around 40 million individuals) have attempted to report an imposter scam they experienced to the impersonated company via its website.
• Banks and credit unions were the most contacted (44 percent), followed by online retail stores (29 percent).
• More than half (55 percent) of adults found it easy to navigate to the fraud reporting section on the company website to report their experience of imposter fraud. However, about a third faced difficulties, and 10 percent were unable to find the reporting location at all.
• A majority (58 percent) successfully reported their fraud experience on the website, with most (56 percent) not needing to log in. As a result, 80 percent felt very or moderately satisfied with their website experience.
  

The report highlights several important considerations for businesses to improve their fraud reporting mechanisms:

• User-Friendly Design: Websites should be easy to navigate with clear instructions on how to report fraud.
• Accessible Reporting Tools: Businesses should provide dedicated forms, hotlines, and prominently displayed email addresses for fraud reporting.
• Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to regulations like the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) is crucial for safeguarding sensitive data and detecting suspicious activities.
• Customer Education: Informing customers about common fraud schemes and how to protect themselves through FAQs, tutorials, and alerts about recent fraud trends is beneficial.

Methodology

This national omnibus survey was conducted from July 25, 2024, through July 29, 2024, among a sample of n=1,102 adults age 18-plus, using NORC’s AmeriSpeak probability-based sample of pre-recruited panel participants. The data are weighted to the latest Current Population Survey (CPS) benchmarks developed by the U.S. Census Bureau and are balanced by gender, age, education, race/ethnicity, and region.

For more information, please contact Alicia R. Williams at arwilliams@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.

The search metadata was created with the assistance of Copilot and has been reviewed for accuracy and appropriateness.

Suggested citation:

Williams, Alicia R. Navigating Company Websites to Report Fraud. Washington, DC: AARP Research, March 2025. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00878.001

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The Successes and Challenges of Navigating Company Websites to Report Fraud