Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - Metro Police have arrested a pair of woman suspected of abusing an elderly person in one of the woman's care
Back on December 29th, the LVMPD Special Victims Section received a video from social media which depicted an elderly victim and a vulnerable adult being physically abused by a caretaker. With little information to go on, detectives from the section’s Elder Abuse Unit immediately launched an investigation into the incident.
Detectives quickly identified and arrested the caretaker, 26-year-old Stephany Gilbert. They also learned that the incident had taken place on Christmas Day at the home of 23- year-old Jakia Edwards. Edwards could be seen in the video as she recorded Gilbert berating the victims and physically abusing them. On December 30, detectives located and arrested Edwards.
Gilbert and Edwards were booked into the Clark County Detention Center for Neglect Older or Vulnerable Person; Abuse Older or Vulnerable Person; and Conspire to Abuse, Exploit, or Isolate Older or Vulnerable Person.
“I’m really proud of the detectives on this case,” said Sergeant James Johnson of the Elder Abuse Unit. “They did a phenomenal job ensuring these victims were taken care of and the suspects were taken off the streets.” Sgt. Johnson added that many cases of elder abuse go unreported, but he hopes more people will speak up. In 2020, the Elder Abuse Unit made an arrest or submitted for an arrest warrant in 58 cases.
Anyone who suspects elder abuse is taking place is urged report it to the LVMPD Elder Abuse Unit by phone at 702-828-3364. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or on the internet at www.crimestoppersofnv.com.