A Bruce woman faces multiple charges of abuse in relation to a make-shift nursing home she was operating out of a home near Old Town.
Sharon Sanders, 55, was arrested Friday, July 26 and charged with one count of felony abuse of a vulnerable adult and two misdemeanor counts of felony abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Sheriff Greg Pollan said his department received a tip leading them to investigate the living conditions inside the large trailer home and possible physical abuse taking place.
Sanders
Sanders was renting beds inside the home to 10 others ranging in age from 20 to 74. Pollan and his deputies were accompanied by representatives of a state agency when they visited the home and discovered what he described as filth, abhorrent smell, and sewer running out on to the ground.
“We got into the house and interviewed the people inside and immediately took Sanders into custody,” Pollan said.
She has since been released on a $20,000 commercial bond.
Two of the residents inside the home were immediately removed. One was transported by ambulance to Baptist-Calhoun where he was treated and days later moved to the adjoining nursing home. A female resident was removed and transported to a group home.
Sheriff Pollan said the other residents were physically and mentally able to care for themselves, so they were left there for the time being, while state agencies work to get them relocated due to the living conditions of the home.
The investigation is ongoing by the sheriff’s office, attorney general’s office and other state agencies. More charges are possible as it progresses.
