Letters To Editor - Elders Are Open Season Year Around in Florida.-The Baker Act

David McCaslin Writes on December 3, 2007

The Baker Act, The Other Side. Financial Exploitation of the Elderly.

Hello,

Are you aware of the Baker act and how it was put in place to help people who might be mentally ill from causing harm to them selves and or others?

There is another side to the Baker Act. A person can use the Baker Act to have an elderly person placed in the Psych ward of the Florida Hospital for observation, while they steal their home and finances.

The events you are about to read are currently happening as of November 26Th, 2007.

My Grandmother, Revelle Markert, a current resident of Sebring Florida

She is 95 years old (Born 03-24-1912) and is currently being held and under observation for
dementia.

Florida Hospital
1210 U.S. Highway North
Lake Placid, FL 33852
1-863-465-3777

This has been already proven to not exist by a previous hospital. Revelle's daughter Kathleen Lukasik and Kathleen's husband Dennis Lukasik had Revelle placed in the hospital, prior to petitioning for the Baker Act. Revelle has been in this hospital for over 72 hrs. She has been there since the night of Monday, November 26Th.

From Revelle's statements to Deborah, she has been quizzed throughout the day and has only been able to sleep for approximately 2-3 hours a day.

Revelle's Attorney, Michael J Trombley is doing everything he can to get her released from this hospital, but the other attorney Clifford M. Ables III, are two weeks ahead of Michael J Trombley.

Deborah left California on November 27 to spend time with Revelle Markert, due to her problems with Diabetes and also to help with whatever might be going on with the issues
between Kathleen and Dennis Lukasik. Currently my sister Deborah MacCaslin and Neighbors
are guarding over Revelle's property until Revelle has been released from The Florida Hospital.

Just prior to this, Kathleen and Dennis were abusing my grandmother. There are police
reports to substantiate my grandmother’s claims which are easily retrieved from the Highlands County Sheriffs Office. Also reports are available for the stolen property from her home, such as jewelry, cash ($1600.00), identification, Social Security cards.

Kathleen and Dennis are now going after her home in Sebring.

I had the understanding that you needed to petition for the Baker Act, and after a judge
reviewed the petition, a sheriff was sent out to serve the person who was suffering from Mental Illness.

Her daughter kidnapped her from the hospital where she was being treated for a Diabetes medication problem. Then petitioned for her to be placed under the Baker act.

I cannot believe there is a law in place that could allow a relative (Daughter) to have an elderly woman placed in a hospital under the Baker Act, so she could get Power of Attorney over her own mother, and then take everything she has.

What does my grandmother do after that.........?

Update: Deborah was forcibly removed from Revelle's home, against Revelle's wishes, by Kathleen and Dennis.

Update: Kathleen now has Temporary Guardianship over my Grandmothers health,medication and Property.

Update: Michael J Trombley Attorney at law for the Elderly has come up Sick and can no longer take this case. December 03, 2007

Update: Deborah MacCaslin and I (David MacCaslin) have made a Report through the Florida Abuse Registry as of December 03, 2007. The claim states the Physical Abuse and Financial Exploitation of Revelle Markert By Kathleen,and Dennis Lukasik

How can something like this happen?..... of all places, in Florida, where the elderly think it's safe to retire.

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A quick note to the Highlands County Sheriffs Office and the officer who came out:

They had their hands tied and helped as much as they possibly could. The Female Officer that I spoke to settled me down and put me to ease and was a great help.

Thank you, all of you at the Highlands County Sheriffs Office.

David MacCaslin
1080 San Miguel
Concord, CA 94518
925-300-5597

Deborah MacCaslin
Curently Guarding the house from thieves (please see update)
4225 Seawood Ave
Sebring, Florida 33875
925-914-9312 (cell)

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Dear David;

Thank you for writing in.

Now you say; "How can something like this happen"?..... and of all places, in Florida, where the elderly think it's safe to retire" !

Well David, I too was once an unbeliever. I too wondered once, how could this happen ? How can the perpetrators use the law to their advantage in fleecing, abusing an Elder and in the destruction of what took so long to build ?

We hope that the information and the links provided here on the E.A. web site will be useful , we are at your service to expose this horrible exploitation of your grandmother....

Ray Fernandez and staff of E.A.