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'Broken' system fails elderly abuse victims

Federal records show Minnesota has fallen short in its handling of complaints about abuse of elderly and vulnerable adults. Updated Oct. 24, 2011

State regulators have failed to protect some of Minnesota's most vulnerable citizens from being victimized by their care givers. Even known criminals have obtained state permission to work in nursing homes and other care settings.

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Minnesota Legislature approves tougher elder-abuse bill
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE ,Star Tribune Publish April 6, 2012 2:00 AM / Update April 6, 2012 2:21 PM
The measure passed by the Legislature calls for prison terms of up to 10 years.

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Maria Winkelman

State law has huge gap in punishing elder neglect
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE and LORA PABST , Star Tribune staff writers Publish August 14, 2011 2:00 AM / Update August 17, 2011 9:49 AM
Minnesota treats neglect of an adult as a misdemeanor, frustrating prosecutors.

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David Christofferson

Minnesota lawmakers urged to make neglect a felony
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish January 13, 2012 2:00 AM / Update January 13, 2012 11:25 AM
Those who mistreat the elderly or other vulnerable adults often get off with a slap on the wrist, even in cases of death.

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State OKs care jobs for former criminals
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE and GLENN HOWATT , Staff Tribune staff writers Publish December 11, 2011 2:00 AM / Update December 12, 2011 1:57 PM
Two agencies granted thousands of exemptions to people convicted of disqualifying offenses, allowing them to work with state's most vulnerable people.

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Lisa Marie Blair

Elder care workers with a checkered past get a pass
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish July 31, 2011 2:00 AM / Update August 3, 2011 7:23 AM
Exceptions by state regulators raise questions about oversight.

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'Granny cams' are catching on as a tool to deter elder abuse
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish September 19, 2011 2:00 AM / Update September 19, 2011 7:55 AM
More families are turning to what is becoming ubiquitous technology, despite concerns over privacy issues.

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Deb Holtz

Nursing home stay an eye-opener for advocate for elderly
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish July 26, 2011 2:00 AM / Update July 26, 2011 11:26 AM
Advocate for elderly cuts short a "dehumanizing" visit in facility.

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booking photo of Devra Stiles

Drowning at state-run home leads to review
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish September 15, 2011 2:00 AM / Update October 12, 2011 1:53 PM
A disabled man was left alone in a bathtub when supervisor answered phone.

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Graham Olson

Terrifying ride, worker's DWI raise alarm on state care
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish October 9, 2011 2:00 AM / Update October 12, 2011 12:37 PM
Another vulnerable adult endangered by state worker may bring changes in Department of Human Services division responsible for the care.

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$3 million gone: Son accused of stealing Richfield mom broke
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish November 24, 2011 2:00 AM / Update November 29, 2011 6:11 PM
He looted her nest egg to fund a lifestyle that included pricey trips and phone sex, authorities say.

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Bruce Diersen

Death of man at Bloomington group home prompts two investigations
Article By: BRAD SCHRADE , Star Tribune Publish January 12, 2012 2:00 AM / Update January 12, 2012 12:07 PM
Questions about how Bruce Diersen died while in the state's care have cast more glare on an already troubled agency.

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