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2 MN. Teens Nursing Home Abuse Case Face Judge
Brianna Marie Broitzman (left) and Ashton Michelle Larson (right)
AP
January 23, 2009
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.
© YellowBrix 2009
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over 4 years ago
Tell me why anyone would hire a 17-Year_old to work in a nursing home. And, How could this go on for so long?
bookishfilly
over 4 years ago
58 comments
This type of behavior is inexcusable. These young women need to pay for their actions so they will learn that abuse won't be tolerated. They knew the consequences when they were hired and went through orientation where abuse and residents rights are emphasized. My heart aches for the residents and the families of those abused. Nursing is done with the mind, hands, AND heart. The girls obviously have no heart or they couldn't have done such horrible things to those poor people!
SHANNLEE1976
over 4 years ago
48 comments
Something some people obviously don't realize is that Nursing is not learned, IT'S A GIFT. It takes a special selfless person to make a nurse and obviously there isn't alot of back ground checking going on. You could look at their pics and see wickedness on their faces. I don't know how to stress it enough... ABUSE... REPORT IT, REPORT IT, REPORT IT!!! Think of it as your grandma, or mom or dad or child or your family member in that bed!!!
aichausa
over 4 years ago
98 comments
I think that this is OUTRAGEOUS behavior! I work for a hospice and am progressing through the RN program. There are family members of these residents, for crying out loud! It's not JUST about the residents. The families matter just as much or, if you think about it (in a lot of cases), even more as they are the ones left behind by those who are ailing, dying, comatose, or incapacitated in varying degrees. It's very clear that the nursing shortage is vulnerable to those who are looking for a quick fix to their economic woes and that an 8-week-long CNA course will do the trick. Sorry, but I don't call nursing a job and, instead, call it a way of life. You have to live nursing unlike living most other jobs. I agree with another post: go work for Wal-mart!
vwoods
over 4 years ago
130 comments
I agree with you. Moxie. There are too many incidences of this happening now. If you don't think you can't handle the job, step away. Go work for Wal-Mart or something less stressful.
MoxieRN
over 4 years ago
10 comments
What a shame...I remember when CNA's used to have intergrity. I know how hard of a job it can be, but this is deplorable action!