Man arrested for elderly abuse

Friday, Feb. 20, 1998 | 1:56 a.m.

Christopher Michael Childers was arrested for elderly abuse, elderly neglect and criminal neglect of a patient with substantial bodily harm, police said.

Childers is the owner and operator of Desert Palms 2, a licensed, private adult care facility.

Police began investigating Childers earlier this month when a former resident's bedsores required surgery and left permanent scars.

The investigation found that two other residents had been grabbed, pushed and shoved by Childers while in his care. One of the residents sustained bruises to her wrist.

Police said the residents were required to remain in their rooms and could not interact with other residents.

Many of the residents feared retaliation by Childers if they left their rooms without his permission, police said.

Childers was licensed for six residents, but 10 were living in the facility, police said.

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