Introduction
I recently witness an act of VIOLENCE on AN ELDERLY PERSON, and I remined the 'youths' that it is a serious Criminal Offense and punishable by the law.
Below is a summarized table of some laws in various countries :
|
Country |
Primary statute(s) for elder protection |
Who is protected / key definitions |
Core duties & remedies |
Reporting / enforcement |
|
Mauritius |
Protection of Elderly Persons Act 2005 (as amended 2016) |
Establishes a protection network and administrative
framework for assistance and protection of elderly persons |
Enables protective services and coordination mechanisms;
implemented nationally |
Act operational since Sept 1, 2006; Protection Network and
ministry oversight manage complaints/interventions. (International
Labour Organization, OHCHR,
socialsecurity.govmu.org) |
|
India |
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act
2007 (+ allied criminal & DV laws) |
Senior citizens (60+) and parents can claim maintenance;
protection from neglect/abandonment |
Fast-track maintenance via tribunals; cancellation of
property transfers made under undue influence/non-care; penalties for
abandonment/neglect |
District tribunals enforce orders; active case law and
administration show increasing use (e.g., Pune/Nagpur rulings). (PRS
Legislative Research, Wikipedia,
The
Times of India) |
|
UK (England & Wales) |
Care Act 2014 (adult safeguarding); Domestic Abuse Act
2021; Criminal Justice & Courts Act 2015 (wilful neglect) |
“Adults at risk” of abuse/neglect; domestic abuse now
explicitly includes economic abuse and post-separation coercive control |
Local authorities must run Safeguarding Adults Boards;
Section 42 inquiries; criminal offences for ill-treatment/wilful neglect by
care workers |
Multi-agency safeguarding is statutory; coercive control
offence expanded beyond cohabitation in 2023; CPS guidance applies. (Legislation.gov.uk,
PMC, GOV.UK, Crown
Prosecution Service) |
|
UK (Scotland) |
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 |
Adults “at risk of harm” (not age-limited) |
Councils must make inquiries; can seek protection orders;
Adult Protection Committees mandatory |
Broad information-sharing/reporting duties across public
bodies; powers to visit, examine records, arrange medical exams. (Legislation.gov.uk,
Care Information
Scotland, IRISS) |
|
United States |
Elder Justice Act (2010, ACA Title XX); Older Americans
Act Title VII (elder rights); state elder-abuse & APS laws |
Definitions vary by state; generally covers 60+/65+ or
“vulnerable adults” |
Federal support/coordination (EJCC, grants); states run Adult
Protective Services (APS) investigating abuse/neglect/exploitation |
Mandatory reporting rules differ by state; APS exists in
every state/territory; OAA Title VII funds elder-rights protection. (Congress.gov,
eldermistreatment.usc.edu,
napsa-now.org) |
|
South Africa |
Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 (+ regs); Domestic Violence
Act 116 of 1998 & 2021 amendments |
“Older person”: men 65+, women 60+; abuse criminalised |
Offence to abuse an older person; register of persons
convicted of abuse; DV Act expanded (2023 commencement) |
Reporting pathways via Dept. of Social Development;
police/courts issue protection orders; national protocols reference s.29–30
(investigations, prohibition). (Justice Department, South African Government, Fasken,
Parliament
of South Africa) |
|
Australia |
Aged Care Act 1997 + Serious Incident Response Scheme
(SIRS, 2021); national elder-abuse strategies; state/territory family
violence laws |
Residents receiving Commonwealth-funded aged care; elder
abuse framed via WHO definition in policy |
Providers must prevent, manage, and report serious
incidents to the regulator (Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission) |
Mandatory provider-level reporting under SIRS; broader
elder abuse addressed via state DV/family-violence laws and national policy.
(Health, Disability and Ageing
Department, agedcarequality.gov.au, AustLII, Attorney-General's
Department) |
The Case of Norman Bledsoe Assault in a Detroit Nursing Home
1. Incident Overview
-
In May 2020, 75-year-old veteran Norman Bledsoe was violently attacked in his room at Westwood Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Detroit by 20-year-old Jaden T. Hayden, another resident. The assault was video-recorded by Hayden on his phone and later posted on social media.(fox59.com, Global News)
-
The footage shows Hayden repeatedly punching Bledsoe, who is left covered in blood and suffering serious injuries including four broken fingers, broken ribs, and a broken jaw.(Global News, Tapworthy Happenings)
-
Hayden allegedly shouted “Get the f*** off my bed” during the attack.(fox59.com, Tapworthy Happenings)
2. Legal Charges
-
Hayden was charged with:
-
Two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder
-
Larceny in a building
-
Two counts of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device (i.e., credit cards)(fox59.com, cbs4indy.com)
-
-
He pleaded not guilty, and a high cash bond was set.(cbs4indy.com)
3. Victim's Condition and Death
-
Following the assault, Bledsoe reportedly became depressed, lost his appetite, and experienced significant weight loss.(Patch, Global News)
-
He died approximately two months later, a death his family attributes at least in part to the trauma and its aftermath.(Patch, Tapworthy Happenings)
4. Legal Outcome: Competency and Dismissal
-
Hayden was evaluated and ultimately deemed incompetent to stand trial. As a result, the charges were dismissed, though technically the case remains open and could be reinstated (“without prejudice”) if his competency changes.(The GOP Times, Tapworthy Happenings)
5. Context & Public Reaction
-
The assault video went viral and drew national attention—even President Trump commented on it, expressing shock on Twitter.(Global News, Tapworthy Happenings)
-
Hayden’s father cited autism and schizophrenia when discussing why his son should not face prison, calling into question the system’s handling of individuals with severe mental health issues.(Global News, Tapworthy Happenings)
-
The nursing home’s actions were also scrutinized—criticized for having placed a person with mental-health challenges and COVID-19 in the same room as a vulnerable elder.(Tapworthy Happenings)
-
Some online commentary picked up on racial dynamics: Hayden is Black and Bledsoe was White. A few summaries emphasized this, though most official reports did not highlight a racist motive.(The GOP Times, Reddit)
Key Reflections from a Leadership & Safeguarding Perspective
A. Mental Health & Safety in Care Settings
-
This case raises profound concerns about care facility decision-making—particularly around room assignments. Under crisis conditions (like COVID-19), people with known violent or mental health issues were housed alongside vulnerable seniors, with tragic results.(Tapworthy Happenings)
B. Recording of Abuse & Security Protocols
-
The fact that the assault was filmed by the perpetrator himself suggests gaps in monitoring and supervision—especially critical in high-risk environments like nursing home rooms.
C. Judicial Competency vs. Justice
-
The dismissal based on competency to stand trial leaves open challenging ethical questions:
-
How does the justice system balance mental incapacity with public safety and victim accountability?
-
The "without prejudice" dismissal leaves a pathway for future action if competency changes.
-
D. Policy and Institutional Accountability
-
The nursing home and local health authorities are facing scrutiny and potential legal action—the victim’s family has filed suit against the facility.(Tapworthy Happenings)
-
This case underscores the need for clearer policies regarding mental health placement and staff training for risk assessment.
E. Public Awareness and Advocacy
-
Viral social media content and high-profile reactions (including political figures) can drive public attention—but meaningful systemic change requires sustained legal and regulatory follow-through.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Norman Bledsoe, 75-year-old Army veteran |
| Perpetrator | Jaden Hayden, 20, also a resident |
| Incident | Recorded assault in nursing home |
| Injuries | Broken jaw, ribs, fingers; depression; death ~2 months later |
| Charges | Assault, larceny, credit card theft |
| Legal Outcome | Not guilty plea; later found incompetent—charges dismissed |
| Key Issues | Mental health, caregiving protocols, competency law, facility accountability |
