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.

Weekly Update from State Representative DeAnn Vaught

The latest census figures show 17.8% of our state’s population is over the age of 65. Nationwide, the population ages 65 and over grew nearly five times faster than the total population over the 100 years from 1920 to 2020.

August 21 is National Senior Citizens Day. It’s an opportunity to show our appreciation for their dedication, accomplishments, and services they give throughout their lives.

The Arkansas General Assembly has worked to pass legislation to empower people to choose how they live as they age. This year, we passed laws to lower taxes, strengthen our rural hospitals, and increase awareness and services available to those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In the 2023 Regular Session, we also worked to eliminate the red tape for seniors still in the workforce. Act 73 creates a lifetime certificate of license for contractors who have reached the age of 65 and have been licensed as a contractor for at least 12 years.

Protecting our seniors involves safeguarding them from abuse and exploitation. We did that with Act 783. This created the Vulnerable Person Protection Act. It defines a vulnerable person as anyone over the age of 69 or an individual who is in an inpatient facility. It makes the abuse of a vulnerable person a Class B felony if it causes serious injury or death and a Class D felony for non-serious injuries.

In addition, we passed Act 70, Act 335, and Act 682. Act 70 requires home caregivers to have a specific number of hours in dementia training. Act 335 sets minimum training requirements for staff members who are employed by an assisted living facility that includes persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Act 682 creates the position of dementia services coordinator with the Department of Human Services.

National Senior Citizens Day serves as a call to action to ensure our seniors are treated with the respect and care they deserve. As we continue to find ways to improve their lives in the state, let us all take the time this week to increase our interaction with our elders. Their stories can inspire and their guidance can lead to a more thoughtful and compassionate society.

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.

Bill to Curtail Scams on Seniors Unveiled

by Marine Glisovic

Arkansas lawmakers want to make it more difficult for scammers who target senior citizens.

A bill filed this week would create a reporting system that involves financial institutions and investigative authorities.

Co-sponsor of HB 1391, Rep. Carlton Wing, R-North Little Rock, said he was inspired to file the bill after his Sunday school teacher was duped.

Wing along with another co-sponsor of the bill, Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, R-Ark., held a press conference announcing the bill’s purpose on Wednesday (March 31).

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/03/bill-to-curtail-scams-on-seniors-unveiled/