Attorney General Griffin Announces Conviction of North Little Rock Woman for Elder Abuse

Griffin: ‘Protecting seniors from abuse will continue to be a priority for my office’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the conviction of Ja’Layia McClendon, 28, of North Little Rock after she pleaded guilty in Pulaski County Circuit Court to the charge of Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Adult, a Class D Felony:

“Protecting seniors from abuse will continue to be a priority for my office. I congratulate my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for their diligence in securing this conviction, especially Special Agent Heath Nelson and Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones. I also thank Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones for the assistance of his office in this case.”

McClendon worked as a caregiver at Woodland Heights Senior Living, a Little Rock long-term care facility. She surrendered herself to law enforcement on October 31, 2024. McClendon struck an 82-year-old female resident who was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, leaving bruises on the resident’s face and forearm.

McClendon was sentenced to five years of probation and a $1,000 fine.

RUTLEDGE HOSTS 3RD ANNUAL ELDER ABUSE CONFERENCE

LITTLE ROCK—Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge hosted today the 3rd annual statewide Elder Abuse Conference at The Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock. More than 150 attendees heard from the experts about issues faced by loved ones and the providers who assist seniors and adults with developmental disabilities. 

“Too many times our seniors have experienced despicable abuse,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “It is my office’s responsibility to protect the state’s elderly and disabled population from abuse, neglect and financial exploitation–a duty I do not take lightly.”

The conference covered a broad range of topics including elder maltreatment, senior financial abuse, prescription drug abuse by caregivers and tools for the prevention of elder abuse. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge who keynoted the Summit, launched the event and training in 2020 after the Office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) continued to experience record numbers of complaints, arrests and convictions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, MFCUs nationwide recovered over $1.7 billion in payments illegally claimed by providers in 2021.

Medicaid fraud occurs when Medicaid providers use the Medicaid program to obtain money to which they are not entitled. To report Medicaid fraud, abuse or neglect in nursing homes or Social Security disability fraud, call the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud hotline at (866) 810-0016 or submit a complaint online.

Additional trainings offered by the Attorney General’s Office may be located on the website.

Rutledge to host 3rd Annual Elder Abuse Conference on Sept. 1st in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK— Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will host the 3rd annual statewide Elder Abuse Conference at The Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock on September 1, 2022. Attendees will learn about issues faced by loved ones and providers who assist and serve seniors and adults with developmental disabilities. 

“All too often our seniors get taken advantage of through financial and physical abuse and it is important to know the signs before it happens to your loved one,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “The annual Elder Abuse Conference empowers family, friends, employers and law enforcement to recognize the signs of abuse and teaches them how to protect victims when abuse is occurring.”

According to the National Council on Aging, one in 10 Americans 60 years and older have experienced some kind of abuse. It is estimated that as many as five million elderly Americans are abused each year.

The conference will cover a broad range of topics including elder maltreatment, senior financial abuse, prescription drug abuse by caregivers and tools for the prevention of elder abuse. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge will be the keynote speaker.

This course has been approved for 6.25 credits of continuing legal education, in addition to 6.25 credits of continuing education for nursing home administrators. Additionally, 6.75 hours of law enforcement (CLEST) credit has been approved. Medical provider credit is pending.

Click here to view a list of upcoming trainings offered by the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office.

State officials urge Arkansans to watch for scams targeting elderly

KUAR | By Daniel Breen

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and state officials are warning of the dangers of scams targeting older Arkansans.

The Arkansas Securities Department is advising Arkansans to be on the lookout for potential scams, which could come via social media or emails, or even from family members and caregivers.

The Department’s interim commissioner Campbell McLaurin says financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of abuse, with the internet making it much easier for scammers to target vulnerable adults.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-06-23/state-officials-urge-arkansans-to-watch-for-scams-targeting-elderly

Maria Fabrizio/NPR

Officials with the Arkansas Securities Department are warning against financial abuse of elderly Arkansans, one of the demographic groups most vulnerable to scams.

Sign Up: Elder Abuse Webcast for September 30th, Register Today

The Elder Abuse Webcast is free and open to the public and will cover elder financial abuse, an overview of Medicaid fraud investigative authority expansion and other relevant topics to Elder Abuse. The Arkansas Securities Department, Arkansas State Nursing Board and Attorney General's Office will be presenting. This webcast does NOT offer any continuing education credits.

DATE:       Thursday, September 30

WHEN:      9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

REGISTER:  https://arkansasag.webex.com/arkansasag/onstage/g.php?MTID=e630a436b7825f85a59d61845817adf54  

Contact: Rachel Ellis
(501) 682-3645
Rachel.Ellis@ArkansasAG.gov