TOMS RIVER, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) have announced criminal charges against three long-term care facility workers for the alleged abuse of elderly patients. The charges come as the state prepares to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Joseph Robles, 23, of Tuckerton, and Maria Alcantara, 53, of Toms River, face a 10-count indictment including assault on an institutionalized elderly person, neglect, and criminal restraint at an Alzheimer’s care facility in Toms River. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. Allegations against them include physical restraint and neglecting required wellness checks of a 93-year-old patient between January 13 and January 15, 2023.
In a separate case, Simone Goldsboro, 34, of Camden, has been indicted on aggravated assault charges in Camden County. Goldsboro allegedly sprayed bleach on an elderly patient and engaged in physical abuse at a residential nursing home in Cherry Hill.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of treating those in care facilities with dignity and respect, asserting a commitment to prosecute those who exploit and mistreat vulnerable individuals. Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia highlighted the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards elder abuse, stating that such criminal actions against the elderly will be rigorously prosecuted.
These cases underscore the broader issues highlighted by World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed on June 15, which aims to increase awareness of the forms of elder abuse and the need for vigilance to protect vulnerable seniors from harm.
