After Jo Holcombe learned her mother, Shirley Smith, had been exploited by a caretaker, she pushed for a law that would create a registry of people convicted of abusing or exploiting the elderly. That law, known as Shirley’s Law, took effect July 1.
Smith’s caretaker, Veronica Wiggerfall, was found guilty of financial exploitation of the elderly after forging checks and signatures in Smith’s name. Wiggerfall is set to be sentenced Nov. 8.
No Need to ‘Apply’
Since the law went into effect, Holcombe and Assistant District Attorney Clay Rossi said people have misunderstood how it works. Rossi clarified that there is no application process.
“There is no need to apply for Shirley’s Law,” Rossi said. “If someone is convicted of elder abuse or elder exploitation, they are automatically added to the Shirley’s Law Registry.”
People cannot file a case directly under the law. Anyone who suspects elder abuse must report it to their police department and other legal authorities so the alleged abuser can be investigated. The registry is not yet available to the public.
Holcombe urged residents not to stay silent. “I just think it’s to emphasize the only way we can stop it is if it gets reported,” she said. “If you tell the authorities and do it. Don’t worry about being embarrassed.”