Carer hired to look after woman, 91, ‘was filmed battering her 150 times’
A caretaker who was hired to look after a 91-year-old woman was caught on camera striking her more than 150 times, police said
Rima Abikaram, 50, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of elder abuse in California after police said she had abused the unnamed woman, anonymized as Jane Doe, over the course of a four-day period.
Investigation reports from Fox29 showed that the victim’s injuries were severe, including swelling to her face, a black eye and a laceration to her arm.
A concerned caregiver reported this to the victim’s family after noticing visible injuries while under Abikaram’s 24-hour care.
The family then installed a hidden camera the home which revealed that Abikaram was brutally abusing and beating the woman, all while the victim was confined to a medical bed.
Abikaram, who was hired by the victim’s family to care for her in 2015 and was said to be a friend. After her alleged abuse was uncovered, she was fired and reported for elder abuse.
An update on Abikaram’s alleged victim’s condition has not been shared by investigators.
Her Facebook page said she is from Lebanon, and shared multiple posts detailing Abikaram’s interest in feminism and spirituality.
Abikaram was located at her home and arrested without incident. The case was then turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
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