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Community reacts to abuse case
Published Saturday, December 6, 2008
Area residents said Friday they are saddened, shocked and still trying to understand what might have happened in the case of alleged abuse at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea earlier this year.
“I’m just trying to digest it,” said Bob Haskins, a lifetime resident of Albert Lea. “It’s my town, and it’s hard to believe.”
On Monday, Albert Lea High School graduates Brianna Broitzman, 19, and Ashton Larson, 18, were charged in Freeborn County District Court with more than 10 counts each, for allegations including criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult and assault in the fifth degree at the nursing home.
Four other juveniles were also charged for mandated failure to report the suspected abuse. The teenagers are all now adults.
The alleged abuse took place between January and May earlier this year.
Details of the allegations surfaced after the release of a Minnesota Department of Health report in August that concluded four teenagers were involved in verbal, sexual and emotional abuse of 15 residents at the nursing home. The residents suffered from mental degradation conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Since the release of the charges, the news has spread quickly — across the country to national media outlets and even outside of the country.
Haskins said he doesn’t like to think about the case, but he questions whether people should be angry with the teenagers or pity them.
“How can you start throwing rocks until you know what’s going on?” he asked.
Many people are also saying they are upset at the negative attention this case is bringing to Albert Lea.
“If we want to get national attention, that’s not the way to get it,” Haskins said.
Jay Maher of Emmons said he’s surprised the case is getting such national coverage.
“The whole thing is pretty despicable when you read some of the details about what may or may not have happened,” Maher said.
He questions if this had happened to a person of color — such as someone who was black or Hispanic — or to a person who was older would that person be looking at a life term in prison.
“I think that’s not very fair,” he said. “I think they’re going to get different treatment because of how young they are and who they are.”
Maher said his grandmother was living at the Good Samaritan Society at the time of the alleged abuse — not in the Alzheimer’s unit — and he’s just grateful she was not one of the residents who could have potentially been involved with the case.
Grace Griffith of Albert Lea said she knows people who work at Good Samaritan Society, and she knows what a challenging job they can have. They have such an opportunity to do good and take care of residents. It’s awful that this could have happened, she said.
“I hope it’s limited to that case,” Griffith said. “It’s a very, very sad situation.”
Gary Stang of Clarks Grove called the situation a “terrible” one.
“I felt so sorry for those people,” Stang said. “They have enough to deal with.”
Assuming the charges are proven in the legal system, he said he hopes Broitzman and Larson are brought to justice and that the teenagers who were minors should be tried as adults.
“It’s just inexcusable,” he said.
Angela Thompson, who has lived in Albert Lea now for 10 years, said some of her relatives in Kentucky have contacted her about the case.
“It’s awful to have Albert Lea put on the map with that kind of publicity,” Thompson said. “We like to be thought of as a good town.”
She said she thinks those involved should be held accountable for their actions.
Though she does not have any relatives in nursing homes, she does have a few fellow parishioners in area nursing homes, she said.
“You worry about them,” Thompson said. “You don’t want things like that to happen, even if they’re not your relatives.”
Others interviewed say they are still confused as to how something like this could have even potentially happened.
“I don’t understand why management out there didn’t know about this from other employees,” said Don Richtsmeier, of Hollandale. “It’s a sad, sad thing. I hope management in the future will have a closer relationship with their employees so they know what’s going on.”
Henry Blohm of Kiester asked where the parents were for the teenagers involved and said he doesn’t know what the solution is for the case.
“I have six daughters,” Blohm said. “If they did anything like that, they’d be in big trouble.”
Broitzman and Larson will appear in court Jan. 21 to answer to the charges.
They face one year in jail and a payment of a fine of not more than $3,000 for each of the fifth-degree assault counts; not more than one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine for each of the criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult counts; one year in jail and a $3,000 fine for each of the disorderly conduct counts; and 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine for the mandated failure to report counts.
Court papers filed with the charges Monday stated that the two teenagers spit water on residents, poked residents in the breasts, antagonized residents and tried to arouse residents by inappropriately touching them in the genitals, among other actions.
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Comments
Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good person on the street article. I would have liked to have also heard from some juniors or seniors at the high school or students at the community college.
The issue with not cutting the alleged perps slack for their youth is that there were a whole series of events, the incidents weren't isolated, they were bragged about, and they included sexual contact and violation of privacy not just in the non-work-related discussions, but also in the making of a video of a resident whom were making fun of. I think that all the direct perps should be tried as adults.
As bad as failing to report was, in the case of those offenders, I'd be willing to cut them some slack on account of their youth, but only if they now testify against those who actually committed the actions.
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 7:49 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by iamwoman (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 8:01 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by nisperos (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course, I don't know for sure, but it seems to me that the alleged perps enjoyed being mean to residents of both sexes. It was about power and control and the ability to bully and humiliate people. Sexual preference does not seem to have had anything to do with it. More of the resident victims were women, so more women were abused. That was simply an issue of access. Since women tend to outlive men, there are generally more women in most nursing homes, regardless of whether or not it's a dementia ward.
Posted by ElderLaw (anonymous) on December 6, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No, the ones being charged with failure to report should not get any slack cut based on youth. They are the ones that chose to take the CNA training and get a job as a CNA. One of the biggest things they teach you both in your CNA class and at orientation is that you MUST report anything BY LAW, or you will loose your license and be charged for a crime. So it's not that these girls didn't know better, because they drill that into your head. I wonder what there CNA teacher thought about them while they were going through there clinicals??? I know my CNA teacher kicked a few girls out of the class because she said she couldn't pass them with a clear conscious.
Posted by realtree (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
those that want to contact city/county officials
http://www.city.albertlea.org/officials....
http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/attorney/de......
Posted by realtree (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/attorney/de...
http://www.city.albertlea.org/officials....
last post did not work try this one!
Posted by mama03 (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 7:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For those who question knowing the details of what happened, here is the site of the MN dept of health's report where 4 of the girls admit to abusing these poor residents. What if it were their family members being abused? I feel awful for the victim's families and for the shame these girls have brought on their own families. You can't hold the families completely responsible for the girls' actions.. they were all old enough to know better!!
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fpc/d...
Posted by ANDERSONG (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have been disappointed by the numerous comments posted on a variety of blogs regarding the horrific events that have taken place at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Yes, the events that took place are horrible, but what good does it do to look back. The entire community MUST look forward. There must be forgiveness. To live with the anger and frustration only grows more of the same. What is the vlaue of the community pointing blame. Law officials, the Minnesota Department of Health, Good Samaritan personnel are taking care of this! You, the people of this community, have known about the allegations for months, and now that the national spotlight is on your town, here is an example of how to put the best construction on everything. It is not going to do any good to point fingers or to find blame. That is a moot point. Now is the time to be proactive.
Also, any of you who know anything about the Good Sam Nursing Home, know that this is a top-notch organization which does care about the residents in a Christ-centered holistic approach. Its top-tier staff is above reproach. So, please, open up your hearts, forgive and move forward in a way that models to the world that Albert Lea is a wonderful place to live.
Posted by ElderLaw (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on December 7, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Look, name-calling and libel are not allowed. Want your comments removed? Just blather on with epithets or convict the defendants without a trial. Your comment gets removed, and we might even ban you as a user.
So here's the deal: Speak like intelligent adults, not playground schoolchildren. It should be relatively simple.
Posted by OldTrojan (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
tengstrom: Rough morning? Your comments about the rules are well taken. I take exception though to your deragatory reference to schoolchildren. It is a good thing that your newspaper allows comments. Please do not become discouraged about making the decision to do so - it was the right thing to do. Rest assured that hot topics like this thankfully do not happen oftern. Thank you for your patience with all of us emotional folks.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 11:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
andersong:
We should not stop looking back on these crimes. The only way to learn from past mistakes, and to keep history from repeating itself is to remember what has happened, learn from it, and make sure it doesn't happen again.
Posted by dynagirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 12:28 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by minnesotaguy (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to say i am very disappointed in the residents of Albert Lea that are getting involved in the "witch hunt". Don't get me wrong the girls should be held accountable for their actions, but do you think the state just gave the case back to Nelson without any advice or suggestions as to what he could actually charge them with? In my opinion Albert Lea is a great place to live there is alot of caring and extremely nice people in our community! Why can't we drop the witch hunt until the COURT system releases the names (not all the wanna be detectives posting) And concentrate on restoring the name of our town? There can be alot of great things going on in your town, but it seems the few with way too much negative energy seem to bring everyone else's attitudes down. If your not happy with something in our town - GET OUT THERE and help make it better! The nation is watching Albert Lea, MN....what better time to band together and show them that we are better then that?
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry Tribune. My comment was out of line.
Posted by fromalbertlea (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Wisconsin but am originally from AL. I fail to understand why anyone would blame the AL community and/or families of those abusive teens that committed these horrific acts. The teens are the only ones to blame and I'm sure their families and friends are as disgusted with their behavior as are the rest of us. If Good Sam management, or any of their employees, were aware of what was happening, they should be fired immediately. I don't believe outsiders are judging AL because of the horrible behavior of a few sick monsters that happen to live there. It's a reflection on them -- not on all of the AL residents.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
After reading the report, I am that much more angry. Did you read the line about resident #2 who "has severe sadness over loosing her husband and expresses feelings of worthlessness and helplessness. Talk about kicking someone when there down. I hope these girls go through something as horrible as loosing there mind, loosing there loved one, being horribly depressed, and then having some snobby stuck up abusive children "take care of" them.
Posted by dynagirl (anonymous) on December 7, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who's blaming the community?
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on December 8, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fromthearea:
You have free speech, yes, because what you say here won't get you tossed in jail, but the free speech also belongs to the people who own and run the Web site. Is this your Web site? No. So free speech also means that if you don't like it when we referee the comments, then go get your own Web site. There, you can say all you want.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pretty childish engstrom, having a bad week?
Posted by Petey (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
While I think TEngstrom has been pretty zealous in removing otherwise harmless comments, I do agree with his philosophy on free speech. This country has greatly broadened what free speech means. As he said, it means you will not be punished by the government for using your right to speech. It does not mean any private web site, newspaper, or organization cannot impose whatever rules they want on their sites, homes, businesses, etc.
Posted by minnesotaguy (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
fromthearea - I was referring to the minors that people are guessing the identities of.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow tengstrom, removing my comments now too??? Maybe your paper should spend more time checking, and proof reading your stories, because you guys have the worst typos I have ever seen in a newspaper, and spend more time actually REPORTING and WRITING stories, not worry so much about we are saying to each other on hear.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, I agree with fromthearea, tell us who you boss is, I bet a lot of people hear would love to talk to your boss about you.
Posted by iamwoman (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Scott Schmeltzer is his boss and he don't care either. Big joke to all of them.
Posted by saj1003 (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What goes around, comes around. Everyone that thinks these poor little girls are being treated unfairly. Well some day they will do the same to you, since I doubt they will be punished as they should, and may work at a Nursing home that you are in. I am not from Minnesota, and I am not judging the community of Albert Lea. The girls that did this are beyond disgusting.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly! Most people can't comprehend that though...
Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey brokewhitegirl dont tell other people how to write when you cant put in the right "here" instead of "hear"!!
Posted by jojo (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sag103;Your comment "Everyone thinks these poor little girls are being treated unfairly." I live in Albert Lea and have not run into a single person that thinks these girls are being treated unfairly. It has been quite the opposite. There is much anger over the fact that the charges were not more severe.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DOLPHIN:
I am not a reporter, I didn't go to college and study english, I don't have proof readers. The reporters at this newspaper are supposed to be college educated, they probably have it proof read by a few people. THATS why I point it out.
Posted by brokewhitegirl (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Jojo:
I think sag103 is talking about the people on here that are saying we need to be nice to these girls. But that's just what I got out of it.
Posted by jojo (anonymous) on December 10, 2008 at 7:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
brokewhitegirl..OK..thanks!
Posted by rtdirector (anonymous) on December 11, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have worked in nursing homes for the past 30 years and have never witnessed or heard of such disgusting behavior on the part of those responsible for the care of vulnerable persons prior to this. I have worked with many very good teenaged CNAs, so we can't entirely blame the girls' youthfulness for their callous behavior. IMO, the problem is that they lack the heart and compassion necessary to do this kind of work... some people have it, others do not. These girls obviously do not.
I've never lived in Albert Lea, but on my few visits there I found it to be a wonderful, friendly community. The horrible abuse that happened at the Good Samaritan home do not reflect negatively on the entire community in my mind, but only on the heartless girls who thought this sort of behavior is funny. We're all going to get old, and we're all at risk for disabiity and mental frailties as we age. To forgive and forget what these girls did only increases the risk that any of us may be victims of similiar callous, cold-hearted behavior 20, 30, or 40 years down the road. The authorities need to go on record as saying that this is absolutely not acceptable and impose penalties in line with the disgusting, horrendous nature of the crimes.
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