toledoblade.com --

Pete Kanios often points out that a quick perusal of the phone book under the heading senior citizens will reveal information about everything from senior centers to nutrition programs.

What's missing is a number to call when reporting cases of abuse or neglect, the assistant Lucas County prosecutor said.

Mr. Kanios uses the example as a way of showing that crimes against the elderly are not often considered a high priority. But a partnership between the prosecutor's office, the Lucas County commissioners, and the county's Adult Protective Services have put a renewed emphasis on cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of senior citizens.

With plans to strengthen the county's ability to investigate and prosecute crimes against the elderly, Lucas County officials today plan to introduce a new investigator in the prosecutor's Senior Protection Unit. Officials hope that the newly hired investigator will uncover cases of abuse and neglect in the county and help lead to the prosecution of those involved.

"Elder abuse is where domestic abuse and child abuse was 20 years ago. It's just not thought of the same and we're trying to change that," said Mr. Kanios, a member of the Special Protection Unit. "With the addition of this investigator, we'd have the chance to get into cases in more detail."

Tom Staff, a retired Toledo police detective, was hired as the investigator. Lucas County commissioners approved allocating $40,000 from the Job and Family Services Department for the post. Though a member of the prosecutor's team, Mr. Staff will work with members of Adult Protective Services, a division of Job and Family Services, when the need for criminal prosecution arises.

Barbara Van Wormer, coordinator for Adult Protective Services, said 632 reports of elder abuse were filed in Lucas County in 2004. Of those, 428 were cases of self-neglect, situations often handled by Adult Protective Services. Eighty-eight were cases of neglect by others, 60 were cases of abuse, and 56 were cases of exploitation, which often end up in the prosecutor's office.

The statistics are even higher this year, Ms. Van Wormer said. Through June 30, 43 abuse cases, 52 neglect cases, and 58 exploitation cases were reported in the county.

It's estimated that of every incident that is reported, another five cases are not, she added.

Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak said yesterday crimes against seniors have been there, but the county didn't always have a means to investigate them. And as the population ages, the county will have more seniors to protect, she said.

"Each one of these cases takes a lot of time and a lot of dedication," Ms. Wozniak said. "We have been working real hard to make sure that we have enough capable, dedicated staff to work with seniors to make sure they're safe."

But in addition to announcing new staff in the fight against elder abuse and exploitation, Prosecutor Julia Bates said she wants to educate the public that these actions won't be tolerated. She wants the message to reach seniors that they don't have to be afraid to come forward if they are being taken advantage of, even if it is by a family member.

"The real big factor is that so many of the elderly people that are exploited are so afraid to tell what's going on, because they are afraid they may lose their independence," she said. "We want them to know that they aren't going to a nursing home just because they were vulnerable and someone took advantage of them."

County officials said that there are a variety of ways of reporting cases of senior abuse and neglect, including Crimestopper, for those who wish to remain anonymous.

"It's amazing the rate that these poor seniors that are being scammed," said Sam Burnett, a board member of the Eleanor M. Kahle Senior Center. "We think its going to make an inroads, make people more aware and more cautious."

To report cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation against senior citizens, people are asked to call Adult Protective Services at 419-213-8663.

Contact Erica Blake at:
eblake@theblade.com
or 419-724-6076.

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