Man Found Guilty of Killing Elderly Father

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Man Found Guilty of Killing Elderly Father

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

“Unconvinced by a son’s assertion that his 86-year-old father had fallen at home, a Will County jury this afternoon found the man guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated battery. Scott Sullivan, 58, faces up to 60 years behind bars for what prosecutors said was a bloody 2010 beating that left his father Fred Sullivan, a World War II veteran with Alzheimer’s, unable to walk or speak,” the Chicago Tribune reports.

Fred Sullivan ultimately passed away from pneumonia four months after he was found in the living room of his son’s Lockport Township home in a pool of blood. At the time he was found, Mr. Sullivan’s right eye was swollen shut and he had sustained more than a dozen “pattern” bruises – indicating that he had been beaten with an object of some kind.

Attorneys for the defense argued that the elder Mr. Sullivan had sustained the injuries when he fell. However, neighbors testified at the trial that they had seen the younger Mr. Sullivan be physically abuse toward his father previously.

The man will be sentenced on February 29.

Elder Abuse | Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect

Often people have concerns about our elderly population sustaining nursing home abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, elder abuse and neglect is not confined to nursing homes and care facilities. When an elderly person is being abused or neglected by a family member – whether or not they are living with them or under their care – it may be more difficult to uncover.

If you have an elderly loved one who has exhibited warning signs of abuse, including unexplained bruises or broken bones, depression or withdrawal, rapid weight loss or gain among other things, you should seek medical assistance immediately. Additionally, you may require the services of a nursing home abuse attorney to protect the rights of your loved one and ensure that they receive appropriate medical treatment and compensation for their pain and suffering.