Two caregivers who ran a home for the elderly in Canyon Country were arrested under suspicion of elder abuse. Robert and Prissy Jenkins, the husband and wife who owned the facility were each charged with one felony count of harming an adult dependent and were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. According to reports, they were released from custody on May 14th and are currently awaiting trial.
The arrests came after a resident of the assisted living facility reported being hit by one of her caregivers. Deputies investigated the woman’s claims, and after discovering bruising on her body that was consistent with being struck, they went to the home and took the caregivers into custody. According to Sheriff’s deputies, there were no other reports of abuse by anyone else at the home, nor was there additional evidence that such abuse had occurred.
Elder abuse falls under California Penal Code 364 PC, and is basically described as physically or financially abusing a senior citizen, as well as any other type of treatment that results in the senior’s physical or mental suffering. PC 364 can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the crime. Misdemeanor convictions carry possible sentences that include informal probation, up to 1-year in county jail, a maximum fine of $6,000, restitution to the victim and counseling.
The defendants above, who are being charged with felonies, face possible sentences that include formal probation, 2 to 7-years in California state prison, up to $10,000 in fines, restitution and counseling.
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