Ages released of alleged Good Sam abusers

Posted by Page_6 (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And we pay this guy what???? C'mon sheeple.

Posted by metisman (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 4:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Typical Craig Nelson reaction: just concentrating on the oldest offenders, reconciling reports, building in excuses for failure [hard to prosecute, conflicting statements,] etc.

A plea to somebody in charge, would you please check to see if Nelson's breathing. Thanks.

Posted by 57boy (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.

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Posted by observer (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is an example why "certain" people don't get brought to justice, very lazy and scared prosecutors. The whole state is watching this story develope, lets hope that the county attorney doesn't let us down.

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 6:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For once hipocryt I agree with you.

Posted by harriet (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FYI observer, I received a phone call today from a friend in Wisconsin she had just heard the disgusting news on the AP radio brodcast. Rush Limbough was telling the entire nation about our wonderful news

Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's time to let nursing homes, assisted living homes, and any other home know these girls names. It is taking 4 - 5 months to get a background check back from the state. Don't let these sick girls harm anyone else.

Posted by norm (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Come on Craig -- We all know you can do better than that. We are behind you. We need to give these people justice. Go for it. You have our support. If you don't ... what the heck is wrong with you?

Posted by norm (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And get your ducks in a row or get the help you need to do so..... the community is not going to wait around, this is a little more serious than you are used to Craig. Please don't settle for our citizens.

Posted by UPSETATTHIS (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 11:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These people need to sit in jail until they are put in a prision or treatment for sex offenders. I am a CNA and I am disgusted this is what makes nursing homes look bad and if you have no respect for your patient or a human being at that you have no right to touch them or care for them. they need to register for sex offenders because if they don't they will be allowed to work in our health care facilities, daycares, etc.... Protect your loved ones and lets get them locked up.......(I hope you and your parents are reading these.) SICKOOOOSSS

Posted by leeleebelle (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This is an outrageous situation and everyone of these girls, regardless of their age, should be made accountable for their despicable, unfeeling actions toward helpless individuals who could not defend themselves.

Posted by dede (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Worse than waiting for justice would be waiting... and having these abusers get off on a technicality.
My sympathy to the employees and families of Good Sam Residents who have to endure this nightmare.

Posted by RNconcerned (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 3:01 a.m.

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Posted by craze (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

what is taking him so long?

if he wanted to he could get this done!

Ya know, for years Albert Lea has been known as a retirement community. Time after time businesses have wanted to come in to our community but they were turned down, partly because we were a retirement community. The city wanted to maintain an air of appeal to older generations. Now look, we don't even have the respect for them to take care of appauling situations in a timely manner...stateing "we are a ways away from.." is unacceptable.

Posted by observer (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/d...

It is very obvious if you have read it, they have all admited in interviews that they have done this. CRAIG, open your eyes!!!!

Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WHAT????? this is unreal. maybe you should be replaced by someone who will protect the people of this community and prosecute people who do stuff like this to them. this is appalling to say the least.

Posted by lulu (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe the cna that came foreward is guilty of something

Posted by the_truth (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:34 p.m.

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Posted by lulu (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These girls knowing addmitted, so let them go to court and bring in the witnesses lets see if the CNA that came forward is telling the truth, Maybe the CNA is guilty of something far more worse (k) Maybe she thought some thing was going to be brought up about her because of the fact somebody was already had been suspended Look at the dates,

Posted by milesaway (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just a little info for the public and the people who should be pressing charges on these sick adults. 18 and over are considered adults.
What is a vulnerable adult?
A vulnerable adult is one who by virtue of:

Age
Physical injury
Disability
Disease or
Emotional or developmental disorders
is unable to independently provide for their own basic necessities of life.

This would include, but is not necessarily limited to:

Adults who reside in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, adult family homes, boarding homes or assisted living facilities or
Those who receive health care or other assistance in providing for the basic necessities of life while residing in their own home.
What is vulnerable adult abuse?

Vulnerable adult abuse is a term used to describe any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.
The more we read here and the less we here on the news it is beginning to sound like this will be pussed under the carpet. If you were driving drunk you would already be in jail or if you were caught with drugs you would be in jail or if you broke in a place and stole 20.00 you would be in jail. Its things like this that make the public scared of nursing homes, etc. Show the public you are doing something to stop this. Put this girls (ADULTS) in jail were they belong. I work with the elderly and this is my biggest fear that something like this could happen. There are laws to PROTECT Vulnerable Adults. Use them and stop putting it off.

Posted by Maggie22 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lulu--Are all of the witnesses lying?? If you read the findings you see that it wasn't only the cna that was let go that said these girls did these awful things. Do you know the girls or maybe are you one of them trying to deflect the allegations by trying to get the cna that told in trouble? Just a thought
I can not imagine that when they interviewed these four girls that they wouldn't have told on the cna if she had done anything worse than these four did. I can't even begin to imagine what would be worse than what these four did to these poor people, but I never expected to hear of this stuff actually happening either.

Posted by linda08031954 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a RN that works in a long term care facility and can not understand WHY the laws we have already in place to protect our vulnerable adults are not being used. This is a case where early on there was EVIDENCE ON THE INTERNET put there by these sexual perputraters. How much more evidence does the court need before they lock these girls up before they go on to hurt others, who knows maybe it will be children next. I feel so sorry for the residents involved that can not speak for themselfs and that is why the public needs to speak for them and their familes and not let this BE SILENTLY SLID UNDER THE CARPET. The public has a right to know who these ADULT ABUSER ARE !!! It will be one way of protecting the vulnerable public from them every again. So, to you Craig I say either do your job or let someone else do it for you and soon!!!!

Posted by familymember (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 4:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a relative of one of the abused residents. I am fortunate enough to be able to express what is happening to me & how I feel about it but the residents this has happened to are not. This does not mean that they were not terrified with what was happening to them or did not feel the pain & humiliation. They screamed, they yelled out, they got mad. The residents knew what was happening to them was not right, how could these girls not know? They stood watch for each other, they closed the curtains so they could tell if a door opened. They KNEW what they were doing was illegal & did not care. They thought it was funny, something to do when they were bored. This is verbal, physical, emotional & sexual abuse. We heard that one of the girls have gotten a job at another care facility in the area. We can only hope she does not get bored there. I would hope that the county attorney would look at this the same way he would at any abuse case. If they were abusing children would there be any questions of them being charged? These girls should ALL be tried as adults, as employees of the nursing home they had the trianing that was mandated by the state & knew this was wrong. If they knew this was wrong, still did it, & do not get the maximum punishment what kind of message is being sent about how we care for our elderly. I can not believe we are even discussing IF they are charged. They have all stated being involved. They have stated what the others have done. More then one person has told the same things about the others. The county attorney needs to make sure that the consequences for these actions are severe enough to ALL parties involved to make sure this does not happen again.

Posted by RNconcerned (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 4:35 a.m.

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Posted by kona (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this absolutely blows me away. what a way for albert lea to get its name on the map. the people involved in this need to have severe consequences imposed upon them.

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

familymember,
My heart goes out to you. My parents are not longer living, but I would be totally outraged at the Albert Lea Court System. If you look at their past record they don't protect children either. I am really thinking about moving to another town, I can't believe how incompetent these officials are. Either we start making our voices heard or it will even get worse. How in the world could one of them be in another care facility?? That is an outrage!!!! We need to raise our voices and let them know how we feel.

Posted by familymember (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The person that told us that one girl was now working in another facilitiy did contact someone on this but there was nothing they could do because no charges have been filed. We do not know any of the names of the ones involved in this to pursue this further. Right now it feels that our hands are tied. We are contacting everyone we know to contact the county attorneys office. Please, if anyone is as outraged by this as we are, contact anyone that will listen.

Posted by Readmore (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So many people who sexually abuse have been sexually abused themselves. You would think that they would be the last to do so, but the experience often destroys any empathy toward other humans - that is why so many violent criminals have a background of child abuse. Just saying.

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think we should all stage a protest outside the county attorneys office. You let me know when you would want to do this and I will be there. This should not be swept under the rug.

Posted by appalled1974 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have been following this story closely and have read the report out on the internet. I am sickened and appalled that this has happened. My prayers and thoughts go out to the residents and the families that have been affected and also to the residents that are still being abused by people because employees are too afraid to come forward and report. I am a CNA, and a mandated reporter of abuse. That was made clear to me when I was certifed. Why has this taken so long to get out to the media, this was investigated in May? Why are teenaged girls allowed to perform direct patient care doing some of the most private cares. These girls knew the consequences of the actions, we learn them in class. There should be no question of charges filed. If this is my child, I would be at the police station booking them myself and I would charge myself right along with them for not teaching them the value of human life and the importance of giving our elderly dignity and respect. I also question the nurses that worked with these girls, didn't they see anything questionable? Couldn't they tell the residents were upset? Even though these residents couldn't communicate what was going on, couldn't someone see that they were agitated and afraid? These girls were not the only ones in direct contact with these residents. Not that I am blaming anyone else for the actions of these girls, just why it took so long to come out.

Posted by jed (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

May be to speed the process up some one should bring charges to the nursing home? I bet they have good lawyers that would counter to the responsible individuals. I am not an expert but some one needs to open their eyes on this. We all have to remember what if it was our parents that were the victims here, we would be fighting to the end.

Posted by Minniepede (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Too bad their names aren't being published right now. They'd understand quick then what the loss of dignity and respect means.

Convict their worthless selves, register them as sex offenders and let them live with that. Time to make sure those who think this is somehow acceptable and entertaining behavior know that they won't be welcome in any decent neighborhood or job for as long as they live.

What repulsive creatures.

Posted by ellen67 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 6:29 p.m.

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Posted by Minnesota1 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson,
I hope that you read these comments because the eyes of the country are upon you to see how you handle this situation. If you are over your head on this one then you need to ask for assistance from the State Attorney's office. I am very disgusted with what is going on at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Albert Lea, MN. Yes, I use the name Albert Lea, MN because now your disgusting news has now reached my State of Kansas. The individuals should be tried as adults, just like any other individuals who would abuse a young helpless child. The girls should all be tried to the full extent of the law and classified as sexual predeters. These girls now right from wrong and are just as sane as you and I. These girls have lost all their rights the minute they took away the rights of the elderly that they abused. Prosecute to the full extent, the eyes of the country is watching to see what happens in this horrible, horrible case

Posted by urgr82 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Having worked at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan I know first hand that management does not like to hear about problems others percieve are happening.

Posted by ladybug (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 7:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am very troubled about the fact that one of these girls is allegedly working in another facility, (who obviously doesn't know it is her), and this could happen again! What is going on here?

Posted by appalled1974 (anonymous) on August 31, 2008 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What facility is she working in? Does anyone know?

Posted by SRO (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 10:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I read all of what was on that link that Observer left here. I am absolutely disgusted, my stomach hurts, I feel like I could puke. This is awful what these people have put those residents through. I hope & pray that justice will be served!

As for the families of these victims, I am praying for each & every one of you...

Posted by uffda123 (anonymous) on September 3, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a family member and I feel what has happened is a reflection on how our children are being raised. They are not taught right from wrong and when they do something wrong their parents take the kids side. My generation was taught to respect people, and have pride in yourself.
I could not have ever justified mistreating a child or elderly person, that would have been a reflection on my parents, how ashamed they would have been of me.

Maybe this is a wake up call, maybe all nursing homes in every state will take a better look at what is going on. It is ashame that the people that were abused were the ones that couldn't defend themselves
.
"Just remember one day we will be helpless - How would the girls feel if that had been done to them or if it was there grandparents or parents?

These abusers should have to do community service for the elderly( with someone of course watching them), such as cleaning house, painting, washing cloths, going to the store, yard work any job that any elder person might need done.

The person that wrote"These girls have lost all their rights the minute they took away the rights of the elderly that they abused. " is 100% right.

For the families of the victims "we care"

Posted by JL673 (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 1:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you read the report not all 4 girls are accused of the same things. 2 of the girls seem to have allegedly perpetrated most of the abuse and 1 of the girls participated somewhat while the last girl seems to have heard about the allegations later. So why should all of them be charged the same. If that's the case then the other employees and NA(s) who heard gossip should all be charged as well including the girl who "reported" it when she was fired.

Posted by ladybug (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These girls were being very careful, pulling the curtain shut, watching out for each other. The nursing home(s) shouldn't be put to blame, this could have happened anywhere, even in a private home. You cannot watch every person 24/7, people need to be held accountable for their own actions. There are MANY caring people who work in nursing homes. These girls have just spoiled it for the rest.

Posted by harriet (anonymous) on September 4, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ufda123 I agree with you. Morals and values and respect for others and SELF RESPECT not to mention respect for Authority seems to be unimportant in the last decade. Some children are not being taught these virtues, some have bad role models in life and there are the people who have been taught but still, especially during mid to late teen years, make horrible choices. About two years ago there was a report on the World News, Neurologist using Brain Imagery discovered that the Frontal Lobe of the Brain that controls the ability to rationalize cause and effect, think before acting, during the teen years is actually barely active, because other areas of the brain are rapidly maturing. This condition helps to explain why teenagers are notorious for making risky choices in spite of what they have been taught. I beleive the biggist influence is the filth people are bombarded with nonstop from movies,music,internet porn and printed media. It is really hard as a parent to watch these influences destroy our youth of today. Media is telling our youth that there is no wrong or right, it is your right to behave how ever you choose, this is the LAND OF THE FREE!!! Most teenagers think they are too smart to get caught and bad things happen to others. Todays youth are very much a victim of the media. When will the media be held accountable??

Posted by southernfirenice (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What kind of spineless county attorney would wait this long before even making this public? And I am sure it wasn't his idea. These girls are adults, publish their names and pictures, let people be aware of who and what they are. They are old enough to draw a paycheck for abusing elderly people, they are old enough to be made public.
Someone asked how they would feel if it were their parents or grandparents, from what I read from the report, I really don't think it would bother them.
Why is it not in the news everyday? From reading the article about the county attorney not doing anything yet, I have a feeling this is going to be swept under the carpet.
To the families, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted by rn3 (anonymous) on September 5, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, their names need to be put out to the public. with the shortage of health care providers, they will and are going out and working in a different facility. 2 of them are working at nursing homes in the North Ia area. Since it takes months for a background check to come back, think of the damage they can do. So how far is it from Albert Lea, to say, oh, Lake Mills and Northwood? Publish their names, who cares if two of the girls have mommies working at Good Sam?

Posted by SRO (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe some of you who know who these people are should just post their names, or let these facilities that hired them know. Just a thought. It could stop them from abusing more people.

Posted by JL673 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

SRO
Because some of them were minors during the allegations and no charges have been filed it would be a bad idea for people to make guesses or post peoples names because they could open themselves up to litigation.

Posted by SRO (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JL673, I guess I didn't think that part through before I posted. I just think that this is horrible that they can continue to work in these facilities...Sad in my opinion because in the meantime, who else will be abused?...I just cannot believe the things that these people have done to the elderly & still they are allowed to work with others. This is not morally right...