68-Year-Old Man Facing Charges of Elder Abuse
Boston Herald.com reports that 68-year-old John T. Hallinan faces a court decision to determine if he is a danger to the community after his 93-year-old father was found lying in excrement in his home. Hallinan’s father was found only wearing a t-shirt and diaper and he reportedly had bruises all over his body.
Prior to that, a housekeeper discovered Hallinan’s father fastened in his wheelchair with duct tape. As a result of the felony charged against him, Hallinan may face a dangerousness case against him if the court determines he is a danger to the community. According to the Boston Herald report, the specific charges that Hallinan faces are neglect and abuse of an elderly person, and batter on a person over 65. He is currently being held without bail as of Tuesday. Hallinan’s father was reportedly hospitalized but is listed in fair condition.
In order to determine whether to pursue a dangerousness case against someone, there must be sufficient evidence to prove that they pose a threat to the community or, in this incident, to the victim. Besides the evidence of bruising on the man’s body, there was no report whether Hallinan’s father suffered any kind of physical abuse. However, it is clear that his father was the victim of negligence, which could also lead to a dangerousness case against Hallinan. There is no report on when the determination will be made.
