Elderly man under guardianship wants to return to Harrison Township home

Gerald Harten says he’s been separated from his wife and held in various group homes for months. Monday a court hearing was finally held to determine Jerry’s fate, but justice for Jerry is delayed yet again.

By: Heather Catallo

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Last fall, the 7 Investigators raised the voice of a Vietnam veteran who said he felt like he’s become a prisoner of Michigan’s guardianship system.

Gerald "Jerry" Harten says he’s been separated from his wife and held in various group homes for months. On Monday, a court hearing was finally held to determine Harten’s fate, but justice for him is delayed yet again.

Harten has been wanting to appear in person to talk to a judge at the Macomb County Probate Court. But once again on Monday, his public guardian would not let him attend the hearing.

Harten is an aging veteran who is so frustrated about being under court-ordered guardianship that he called the police on his own family several times last summer.

The 77-year-old Vietnam veteran’s journey into guardianship started in November of 2023, after he had back surgery and other health complications. His wife Mary had power of attorney to make his medical decisions, but she had her own medical emergency at the same time and could not care for him. So, Macomb County Probate Judge Sandra Harrison declared Harten legally incapacitated and made his son his guardian.

“I was in a hospital and my boy stepped up to be my overseer of medicine,” Harten told 7 Investigator Heather Catallo in an interview last fall.

Harten says after his health improved, he still was not allowed to leave his son’s home, and court records show Harten’s wife and his son started fighting over who should care for him.

So the judge appointed public guardian George Heitmanis, but the family conflict continued and so did the police visits.

Harten was then moved to three different group homes and now, he’s been moved to a rehab facility.

“I am really almost crying out for desperation. I want to go home,” Harten said. “They always get me away from court deals. And that's what made me mad. I said 'what? I can't see the judge.'”

After 15 months under guardianship, court records show Harten’s son is now trying to get him back under his roof. And instead of holding a long-awaited hearing for Harten Monday, lawyers for all of the parties asked for another adjournment.

“The one thing we did agree to is that we probably need a third party who is not any of us to investigate everybody and then report back who appears to be suitable,” said attorney Elizabeth Ferguson, who represents Harten’s son and daughter-in-law.

Harten’s new court-appointed attorney, Ben Schock, advocated fiercely for him in court, objecting that his client’s guardian would not allow Harten to appear in front of the judge for his own case.

“Why was Jerry not allowed to come to court today?” Catallo asked.

“There is a statement from a licensed medical doctor that indicates that his presence in the hearing can exasperate his medical condition,” Schock said.

“But that statement is a year old, and he’s had other evaluations since then. Hasn’t he expressed a desire to come to court?” Catallo asked.

“Absolutely, he’s expressed a desire to come. That was part of my objection today. We are going to get additional medical, hopefully for Mr. Harten, which allow him to attend future hearings,” Schock said.

Harten’s son and his wife declined again to speak to us on camera.

All of the parties are expected to be back in court in early May.

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Elderly man under guardianship wants to return to Harrison Township home

Guardianship hearing for Vietnam veteran adjourned again

Gerald Harten says he’s been separated from his wife and held in various group homes for months. Monday a court hearing was finally held to determine Jerry’s fate, but justice for Jerry is delayed yet again.

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Guardianship hearing for Vietnam veteran adjourned again

Missouri couple charged with financial exploitation of elderly veteran, accused of selling home

 A Missouri couple has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly veteran, accused of withdrawing funds and selling his home without his knowledge, according to court documents.

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Missouri couple charged with financial exploitation of elderly veteran, accused of selling home

Bank restores stolen funds to 112-year-old Texas man

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Bank of America has credited the account of a Texas resident who is believed to be the oldest man in the U.S. after his family reported that thieves had stolen his identity and drained the account.

Richard Overton's family said Social Security and bank account numbers for the 112-year-old Austin man were used to make seven withdrawals over the past several months. The family filed a police report Friday .

Cousin Volma Overton said the family was shocked when the bank asked them to come in and sign for the restored funds. He declined to say how much money was stolen, but said it was a "significant amount."

"Man, I teared up," Volma Overton said. "I couldn't believe it. They made it happen. The executive of the company said he'd take care of this, and he took care of it."

Bank spokeswoman Colleen Haggerty said the bank is investigating and the family said Austin police and federal authorities are also looking into it.

"Everyone wants to get to the bottom of this. I don't think it's going to be long before we know," Volma Overton said.

The money was separate from a 2015 online campaign that raised more than $300,000 to provide for Richard Overton around-the-clock, in-home care. He is the nation's oldest World War II veteran and was at Pearl Harbor just after the Japanese attack.

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Bank restores stolen funds to 112-year-old Texas man

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Thieves empty bank account of 112-year-old Richard Overton, oldest living WWII vet

Thieves empty bank account of 112-year-old Richard Overton, oldest living WWII vet

Thieves emptied a bank account belonging to 112-year-old Richard Overton. (Photo: CBS Austin)

 AUSTIN, Texas — Someone has been withdrawing money from Richard Overton's bank account, which has been emptied out.

The family of the 112-year-old says thieves got a hold of Overton's Social Security number and bank account information which they used to purchase bonds.

"Upset and just wondering who could do something to Richard like this," said Volma Overton, Richard's cousin. "What happened to the rest of the money?"

According to Overton, he noticed something suspicious Wednesday when he deposited money in Richard's checking account.

He saw the only money in the account was what he had just deposited.

The bank told him Treasury Direct withdrew money four different times.

Friday morning, they learned someone set up an account with Treasury Direct using Overton's name and social security number to withdraw money and buy savings bonds.

"He's going to be upset," said Martin Wilford, a close family friend. "We are trying to keep him in his home through all types of fundraisers, and someone could just take from him? You're going to do that to him? Shame on you."

Overton, the nation's oldest living World War II veteran, is still taken care of by way of a GoFundMe account that helps pay for his care.

Austin Police officials say they are working closely with the Overton family.

Overton says he and the rest of the family have seen the uproar on social media after this story broke, and he is hoping this leads to an arrest.

"Hopefully justice will be done," Overton said.

The bank has contacted Treasury Direct to see if they can identify who started the account.

In May, Overton celebrated his 112th birthday.

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Thieves empty bank account of 112-year-old Richard Overton, oldest living WWII vet