Many elder abuse cases involve finances

Marion County Deputy District Attorney John Turner, who has specialized in elder abuse since the late 1990s, said he has noticed a rise in financial abuse of older adults.

As awareness about elder abuse has risen, more people have reported cases. In addition, there is a growing population of older adults. And with digitized banking, perpetrators are having an easier time accessing their victims’ accounts.

The cases also are difficult to prosecute because the crimes often occur in trusted relationships. Victims sometimes don’t want to press charges or they aren’t able to testify, Turner said, and perpetrators take advantage of that.

Turner, who also specializes in property crime cases, said 43 elder abuse cases were submitted to the district attorney’s office between Jan. 1, 2012, and Monday.

Of those, 27 have been sentenced and four were dropped. The rest are pending, he said.

Read more: http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20131105/NEWS/311050031/Many-elder-abuse-cases-involve-finances