State investigates elder abuse cases

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Department of Human Services officials say they are investigating about five-thousand elder abuse cases in Oklahoma.

Authorities say most of the cases are in regards to financial exploitation.

DHS spokesman George Johnson says the adult protective services division investigated nearly 17,000 cases last year and found exploitation or neglect in two out of every three.

Johnson says elderly and disabled people have been scammed by health care workers, accountants, neighbors, friends and family who earn their trust and then flee with their savings.

Oklahoma County Assistant District Attorney Peter Haddock says 11 people have been charged this year in Oklahoma County with financial exploitation of the elderly or financial exploitation by a caretaker.