Elder Abuse

The Elder Abuse Unit handles felony cases of elder and dependent adult physical and mental abuse, neglect, and cases where an elder or dependent adult is the victim of a crime. Elder financial abuse cases are not prosecuted in this unit, except in some rare occasions. Misdemeanor cases are prosecuted in the Misdemeanor Unit, with the assistance of the elder abuse prosecutor.

The unit is assigned as part of the Domestic Violence Unit and works closely with victim advocates who are specially trained to work with the victims of these crimes.

Click here to view and download the Elder Abuse brochure.

The District Attorney’s Office has taken the lead in many areas related to elder abuse, including financial scams.

Other areas of elder abuse the office is taking the lead on include:

    • A Sac FAST team brings together many different agencies and private citizens to help elderly victims of financial abuse where the cases are complex.

    • We created the first Elder Death Interdisciplinary Review Team (EDRT) in the nation. The team reviews closed cases of elder death that are suspicious or warrant further scrutiny, and we sponsored legislation to make EDRT’s reports confidential.

    • Our Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center (MDIC) staff is also specially trained to assist law enforcement with interviewing elder and dependent adults who have been the victims of crimes.

    • We participate in monthly MDT meetings that bring together law enforcement and social service groups who deal with the elderly, in order to discuss problems and issues related to the elderly.

    • Sacramento County has established an elder shelter which provides elderly victims of crime short-term safe housing while other housing or services are arranged. This is one of the first such shelters for elderly in the country.

  • Our victim advocates provide outreach, support and education to elders and dependent adults who have been victims of crime, including assistance with obtaining emergency protective orders. Both victim advocates and the elder abuse prosecutor are available to make presentations.

Please Note: If you suspect elder or dependent adult abuse, you must first contact the local law enforcement agency and/or Adult Protective Services to file a report so they can conduct an initial investigation. The District Attorney’s Office does not conduct initial investigations.

Scam Alert!

If you are over 65 years old and receive a call or email asking for money over the phone for an alleged emergency, beware – you may be the target of a scam!

These are things scam artists do:

  • Someone calls or emails saying a relative is in trouble (injured or arrested or in jail)
  • The person may even claim to be your relative
  • They may have people calling claiming to be the police, fire safety, a lawyer or bail bondsman
  • They need money immediately for bail, hospital care, life flight helicopter or a lawyer
  • They need you to send the money now
  • You are asked to go to Western Union, purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak prepaid card or give your credit card number over the phone
  • They may tell you not to try and call other relatives

What to do:

  • Ask for a phone number to return their call and write the number down
  • Hang up the phone and immediately call a trusted family member to see if they have any knowledge of the described trouble
  • Call Sacramento County Adult Protective Services at (916) 874-9377
  • Last but not least: DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL OR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

View a San Diego County video profiling the story of a recent “Grandparent Scam” victim