Elder abuse reports jump in Maricopa County

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Saturday, June 15.

To raise awareness, the office of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell is bringing attention to this issue.

“The elder community is often a target because of their vulnerability. Many times, it is family members or people close to the victim who commit elder related crimes,”  Mitchell stated in a press release.

According to data updated last month from the Arizona Department of Economic Security, in fiscal year 2023, there were 17,575 individual reports of elder abuse in Maricopa County, making up more than half of all reports in the state.

It is an increase from the previous year, when 14,795 cases were reported. Cases currently open and under prosecution by the county attorney's office include:

• In July 2023, Glendale Police arrested Ronnie Reid after his 76-year-old mother reported $30,000 fraudulent ATM withdraws from her bank account. Reid was indicted on one count of theft, a class six felony.
• In June 2019, Scottsdale Police Officers submitted a case of fraud against, David Volpe and Joel Sauceda. Volpe was the victim’s investment advisor since 2015 and in that time defrauded the victim more than $400,000 sending a portion of the funds to Sauceda. In April of 2023, Volpe and Sauceda were both charged with multiple counts of fheft from a vulnerable adult, a class two Felony, among other charges.

To learn about elder abuse or make a report contact Adult Protective Services at 1-877-SOS-ADULT (1-877-767-2385) or the Area Agency on Aging 24-hour Helpline at 602-264-HELP (602-264-4357). Residents can also submit a report online at this site.