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2 MN. Teens Nursing Home Abuse Case Face Judge

52 Comments

Brianna Marie Broitzman (left) and Ashton Michelle Larson (right)

ALBERT LEA, MINN. – Two young women charged with abusing seven nursing home residents faced a judge for the first time Wednesday in a courtroom packed with relatives of the residents.

Brianna Marie Broitzman and Ashton Michelle Larson, both 19, of Albert Lea, did not enter pleas in Freeborn County District Court. Judge Steven Schwab set bail at $6,000 for their unconditional release or $2,000 with restrictions, the maximum under state law.

Each posted $2,000 bail and agreed not to contact victims or their families, other defendants or witnesses.

Last month, Broitzman was charged with 11 gross misdemeanors and Larson with 10 for fifth-degree assault, physical and sexual abuse of vulnerable adults, disorderly conduct by a caregiver and failing to report suspected abuse.

The criminal complaint described several months of abuse that included spitting in residents’ mouths, poking and groping their breasts and genitals, and at times taunting them until they screamed. The abuse allegedly occurred as the young women worked evening shifts at Good Samaritan Society Albert Lea nursing home.

The matter gained public attention in August when Minnesota Department of Health inspectors concluded that four aides had abused 15 residents with dementia between January and May of last year.

In juvenile court last week, one former aide pleaded guilty to failing to report the alleged abuse and three others denied guilt, County Attorney Craig Nelson said. Now age 18, those four were charged as juveniles because they were 17 at the time, Nelson said.

During Wednesday’s hearing, Broitzman’s attorney, Lawrence Maus of nearby Austin, said his client “is going to challenge this complaint.”

Schwab ordered the defendants to return March 23 for a pretrial hearing, when they may enter pleas.

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sheryl

about 4 years ago

6 comments

They should have the same thing happen to them. Disgusting to prey on the elderly. Unfortunately, in most cased the nursing homes need help and forget to hold people up to the bar so to speak. It's about time to actually see that one does. Just awful to hear that. Where is the heart? Where is the compassion? Man so many people are working in the healthcare field that really dont belong there.
MichelleMichelle

about 4 years ago

15146 comments

Disgusting that anyone regardless of age would do something this heinous. What goes around comes around.
faerynurse

about 4 years ago

12 comments

This is disgusting. But it happens and alot of times the facilities cover it up. I know someone who worked in a nursing home, saw a pt abused, reported it to the appropriate ppl and they told her to ignore it, that she didnt really see it. When she didnt do what they wanted they proceeded to find fault with her "work performance" and found a way to get her to leave the facility. Not right.
rn2bjenny

about 4 years ago

14 comments

I think the punishment for sexual abuse of an elder should be the same as the punishment for sexual abuse of a child. It's unimaginable that human beings can treat each other that way.
Account Removed

about 4 years ago

Ridiculous behavior!
bulldawg4life15

over 4 years ago

6 comments

im also a strong believer in karma
bulldawg4life15

over 4 years ago

6 comments

girls like that give all the nurses a bad name i mean if you cant work around the people and you feel that you cant keep you hands or self under control then you in the wrong field hun
taisiyiah

over 4 years ago

14 comments

iT'S GIRLS LIKE THIS THAT DOESN'T DESERVE TO WORK IN A PLACE LIKE THAT NOR AROUND ANYBODYS CHILDREN AS WELL.tHEY AUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.gOD DON'T LIKE UGLY.wHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND.
NERSESYANNELLI

over 4 years ago

142 comments

WHEN THEY BECOME OLD THEY WILL BE PUNISHED AS WELL AND WORSER.
Northstarnurses

over 4 years ago

70 comments

Security Cameras is the solution to abuse like this. This goes for Hospitals, nursing homes, child care facility's and all. Yes a right to privacy for the patient must suffer in this case. But when you read what these two girls have done and things that have happened in the past it seems that having a watchful eye is the only solution!
Tolulope

over 4 years ago

186 comments

I guess it's not real but Found it out true! It requires serious attention, how on earth will a care-giver perpetuate such act without the legal impication? Nemesis is still going to catch up..................,because there ain't any justifiable reason for this act.
momscows

over 4 years ago

4 comments

I am a nurse lpn and if I ever cought any one doing that stuff to a patient I would call the police. I would be sick to my stopmach to think some one would do that
Account Removed

over 4 years ago

I work as a home health aid and let me tell you this article makes me sick to my stomach.... Not because they are teenagers but because they didn't believe that the people they were abusing deserved the same quality of life that they were living....They should really be taught a lesson and be seen as an example for anyone working in health care of anyage that you will get cought and you will be punished for your crimes.
snowangel6793

over 4 years ago

12 comments

There is NO EXCUSE for abusing/mistreating folks. You have to have a heart when you work in nursing/healthcare. I look at it this way,,,,,,,,, They got 2 more abusers put away. I hope that they dont do there own children like that if they even have any,. And God please not let them have children and dont let them back in healthcare period. THERE IS JUST NO EXCUSE FOR THEIR BEHAVIOR BECAUSE THESE FOLKS DONT DESERVE TO BE ABUSED. How would they like it if they were abused??????
kenzie027

over 4 years ago

4 comments

This issue has nothing to do with their ages! By reading some of the comments about why would a nursing home hire teenagers is very offensice to me! I've worked in a nursing home since I was 16 years old as a CNA. I took pride in my work & that has nothing to do with age. Its all about personal character! I'm now 20 & will be graduating from RN school in May. These criminals need to be punished and taught a lesson by this!