While we will present personal stories about alleged abuses, Irene A. Masiello, Paradise Costs--A Victim's Daughter Fights Back Against Elder Abuse or the Starlight Network News, Inc (SNN) has no personal knowledge of, or concerning the statements made above and have conducted no independent investigation as to the truthfulness or accuracy of those statements. The author of the statements is solely responsible for the content of those statements and all facts, observations, theories and opinions expressed in those statements. These are a version of events based upon the declarations and alleged declarations of aggrieved parties. No final judgment has been made concerning the credibility of any or all of these statements nor is one being made, expressly or impliedly, by their publication here nor can one be made without a complete, independent investigation. We urge you to report all suspected offenses of elder abuse, exploitation or neglect to your state and local law enforcement authorities. Thank you
Our family’s nightmare began in August 2004. My parents, Ralph and Maydelle T, had moved to Delaware to be near son Paul in 2003, after living in Red Bank, NJ for 47 years. Mom, now 77, suffers from Parkinson’s disease and related dementia. Dad, aged 82, suffers from normal pressure hydrocephalus, and has difficulty walking and breathing.
After Mom broke her hip, our cousin reappeared after an absence of 8-10years. She is Dad’s niece and is a real estate broker in New Haven, CT.
When Teresa proposed bringing Mom to Connecticut for treatment, we agreed, wanting the best medical care for our wife and mother. We trusted Teresa as a family member. Once in Connecticut, she told us Mom couldn’t come back to Delaware.
In September 2004, we received notice that Teresa had been appointed Mom’s Temporary Conservator by the Probate Court of Woodbridge CT. This was done “ex parte” (emergency), so we weren’t notified until afterwards. We agreed to an independent conservator, envisioning a neutral party who would work with us. Three attorneys were then appointed, the conservator, Mom’s attorney and the Guardian Ad Litem (GAL). These total strangers advise the court on “what is best for Maydelle”. Their view of us has been formed not through direct knowledge, but through (mis)information supplied by Teresa.
A judge denied our motion disputing the Connecticut court’s jurisdiction of the case, even though Mom has never been a Connecticut resident, never voted in Connecticut, has never had a Connecticut driver’s license or paid taxes in Connecticut. Dad, her husband of 50 years, and two daughters live in New Jersey.
The Judge decided that it was in Mom’s “best interest” that she stay in Connecticut. This effectively ended my parent’s marriage of 51 years, as Dad could not travel to Connecticut. Dad had to obtain a mortgage (at age 80!) because he was denied access to funds in joint accounts. In a proposed division of the estate, the Judge stated that he was being ”generous” in allowing Dad 50% of the joint funds, when in fact Dad was the principal contributor to that estate.
Our family (Dad, myself and my siblings), is united in wanting Mom to return to New Jersey to be near us in her final years. However, after 3 years of brainwashing by my cousin and her allies, Mom is now separated from us not only by distance, but also emotionally.
There’s a very obvious conflict of interest here: the court and its officers are the ones who get to decide whether the source of their financial “gravy train” stays in Connecticut or is allowed to leave the state! It is clearly in THEIR best interests financially that Mom stay in Connecticut. The Probate Court’s primary function in this case should be the reuniting of Maydelle with her FAMILY, and the true conservation of her person and financial estate, NOT the reallocation of her hard-earned assets to court officers’ own bank accounts!
We appealed Judge's decision in Superior Court, and another Judge Angela decided on September 28, 2007 that Connecticut has NO JURISDICTION over Mom. However, she is still in Connecticut due to the appeals process, and as she is now in the final stages of Parkinson’s disease, she may die in Connecticut.
I would not wish our circumstances on anyone. A loving family has been torn apart by a self-serving legal system containing an insidious corruption of cronyism and greed, used to the utmost by someone who knows how to manipulate the system for her own perfidious ends. Unfortunately, we now know our family is not alone in this horrible situation. As more Americans approach what should be their “Golden Years”, this assault on fundamental rights is being repeated nationwide. Being aware of the disastrous possibilities is the first step to protecting yourself and your loved ones!
Irene A. Masiello, Paradise Costs--A Victim's Daughter Fights Back Against Elder Abuse or the Starlight Network News, Inc (SNN) have no personal knowledge of, or concerning the statements made above and have conducted no independent investigation as to the truthfulness or accuracy of those statements. The author of the statements is solely responsible for the content of those statements and all facts, observations, theories and opinions expressed in those statements. These are a version of events based upon the declarations and alleged declarations of aggrieved parties. No final judgment has been made concerning the credibility of any or all of these statements nor is one being made, expressly or impliedly, by their publication here nor can one be made without a complete, independent investigation. We urge you to report all suspected offenses of elder abuse, exploitation or neglect to your state and local law enforcement authorities. Thank you
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1 comment:
That slide down that long slippery road! Separatons of families is a painful thing, it was hard when the Nazis did in the 1940's and it's hard now.
To us the victims, it doesn't mater if they were wearing Swastikas or Black Robes, it all feels the same.
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