Once an adult; twice a child.
My name is Jeanine Thomas Castle, and I have 3 separate stories in 3 separate counties in California.
1st story - Compton, Los Angeles County approximately over a 10-year period (1990's - early 2000) My Uncle, John Thomas "Papa" a widower. No children. He owned his home outright and his small pension and social security supported his simple lifestyle. Then others began to remove items from his home. When he died. Someone else owned his home. Another person told the funeral home she was his daughter. The death certificated stated this. I was named in his Will and couldn't do anything being informed after his death. I was informed of his funeral. He died by a fall in a hole at a neighbor's home. Despite several broken bones, no food in his home and his house being refinanced multiple times Adult Protective Services couldn't and didn't protect him.

2nd Story - Fresno, Fresno County 2020 - 2023. My childhood neighbor, Filiberto 'Gilbert' Olivarez began being neglected - isolation, pandemic, no longer driving in his 90's. I documented little to no food in the home. No AC in the Fresno area triple degree summer. The District's Attorney's office did agree to an investigation. By that time, he had dementia and was residing in a residential care home. Despite having given Power of Attorney to one daughter for years another was able to convince him to sign one giving her full authority over his finances and sell his home far below market value to cousins of her children's father. The investigator NEVER spoke with Filiberto's brother who lived next door or other blood relatives.

3rd Story - Richmond, Contra Costa County 2024. My 97-year-old Aunt Margaret Horsley had been living in her home for 70 years. Her 63-year-old, alcoholic son resided with her. She is a strong woman of faith had hoped he would stop the drinking and smoking. At one point in the last 10 years, she was awarded a restraining order because he hit her. She agreed to allow him to stay for a few days after the order expired and those days turned into years. Frustrated she reached out to myself and a nephew. Contra Costa APS came out met with both and weren't able to do anything. There was no working landline phone. No hot water. They heated food on an inverted heater. The front door had a damaged frame that didn't allow the door to open and close easily or lock. On 8/30/24 there was a fire and fortunately no deaths, but the home has been declared "unoccupiable" by the fire department and boarded up.

Sometimes our elderly MUST have someone just like a child does to say, NO MORE. WE are removing you for your safety and best interests - Once an adult and twice a child. I believe every person in these three stories would have been relieved to have someone, anyone but themselves step in for them. THERE was/is an element of fear in all of these stories.

I'm retired. Aside from being one of three caregivers to my 93-year-old Mom. I want to do my part to make a difference in the lives of others.

I want them to KNOW that Adult Protective Services IS able to make a difference. That something will be done just like a child has protection.

Change in the power of APS and legislation to protect the elderly.

As a social worker, counselor and caregiver I know how important it is to advocate for others when they are struggling. I also know how hard and challenging it can be to on the other side of the situation and not have power to do something.