A Hialeah woman is facing charges after being accused of abusing her 96-year-old mother, who is in her legal care. Elizabeth Benavides, 68, was arrested last week following allegations of neglect and physical harm. According to an arrest report, her mother had numerous bruises on her forearms, hands, and legs, Local 10 News reported.
Tenants living in the back portion of the home told police they had provided food for the elderly woman after she went hours without eating, which Benavides was expected to do, but did not. Also, they often changed the victim's adult diapers – a task also meant to be undertaken by Benavides. When questioned by police, the woman's daughter claimed that the mother had gotten the bruises from a fall about two weeks prior, an explanation countered by video evidence provided by neighbors, indicating that Benavides had inflicted the injuries, according to NBC Miami.
The situation escalated when officers responding to a welfare check discovered the extent of the victim's injuries and admitted her to Hialeah Hospital for treatment. Despite the victim's initial hesitation to disclose the cause of her injuries, she later admitted to a tenant, via cellphone footage, that her daughter was responsible for the bruising. Benavides has since denied accusations of abuse.
An additional disturbing detail emerged during the investigation, suggesting that the elderly woman was being overmedicated with sedatives. Specifically, she was being given clonazepam every four hours – a stark deviation from the once-daily dose confirmed by a nurse, as per the tenants. "My grandmother is in the hospital, but she is recovering," the victim's grandson Alessandro told NBC Miami. Benavides was released on a $15,000 bond after her arrest.
If convicted, Benavides could face severe legal repercussions for her actions against a vulnerable, elderly individual. The case underscores the ongoing issue of elder abuse, which often occurs in the shadows, and highlights the critical role that concerned individuals can play in bringing such transgressions to light.
