Elder Abuse or Stupid Idea?

[RedGlitter]

What do you guys think about this? I am having a little trouble seeing this dumb prank as abuse...but I don't know?



LAKE WORTH, Fla. - A Florida teenager faces a charge of elder abuse alleging he made his senile grandmother wear a black mask and hold a handgun for a video he made.

Police in Lake Worth, Fla., say the 85-year-old woman is seen and heard on the video threatening to shoot "all the pigs."

Authorities say 18-year-old Michael Alfinez was arrested Monday and charged with abusing an elderly person, discharging a firearm in public and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon.

Palm Beach County sheriff's detectives seized the video during a traffic stop in January.

The teen's mother says it's all just a misunderstanding.

[hoppy]

I could see it as abuse. Even if the punk beats that charge, the others should stick. just because a person is senile and doesn't object, doesn't make it ok.

[chonsigirl]

How did he "make" his grandmother do these things? Was it under duress, against her will? Is she legally designated as "senile" or have dementia?

I would consider it elder abuse, if I did such a thing with my husband. (that is how it would be classified legally) But it is more than a "prank," unless she was a willing participant, used firearms regularly, knew the proper safety of such devices, was known to refer to law enforvement officials in this manner, etc.

[Richard Bell]

RedGlitter;846052 wrote: alleging he made his senile grandmother wear a black mask and hold a handgun for a video he made.




Putting a gun in somebody's hand who may very well be untrained in using it, or even unaware that it it is a real gun is stupid, and should result in charges. Using a real firearm as a prop is irresponsible.

I'll bet the gun was illegal anyway, and I'll also wager it had been used in criminal activity.



I say charge his punk ass.