Hi Friend,

This is my story....

My name is Keli and I am the middle daughter of Elaine Bennett. The need to release the sadness and pain that has engulfed many of my thoughts and feelings. To be heard. For my mom's voice to reach someone and for JUSTICE to be. My mom should still be here.

Army. Into the color green because she said the uniform was just cute. Spunky. Hardheaded and compassionate. Understanding and wanting the best for you. My mom will let you know when you are slacking because she cares about you. You will never hear my mom complain, whine, worry, or concern herself with anything. Her faith always took first before every step and in between. I don't remember my mom yelling or getting mad when I was growing up. Now, once I reached 35 she did lol I'm 42 and a mom and I can't say that I haven't yelled or got upset. Just an awesome sauce woman I was blessed with. She raised 3 girls by herself, worked, graduated college, and the works like sprinkles on an ice cream cone.

We all say that we have the best mom.... Mine was a survivor. A warrior. My Mom.

March 1, 2023.....

Something isn't right and I don't know what to do. Call my sisters. Ughhh, I don't know what to do. Mom fell and she is in the hospital. I don't have a license. Help me!! I can't depend on them as sisters to help me and mom needs us. Together as a team. Why aren't they listening to me? My older sister comes to the house acting all weird, asking off the wall questions, and saying false things about our mom. What is going on?

"Our mom doesn't sleep in the dark Chanta and where are you getting this from?" I groan to the point that I get irritated with how mean she was being and how dare her say that about my mom. I am the only daughter that is around, talks to mom, and has been there for her since we were kids. Ya'll have not treated mom very nice and I am holding my nerve. I tried talking to both of my sisters and it seemed they didn't care. The youngest said our mom was too far for her to drive to. Really?

My younger sister lives 20 minutes from where my mom lives. The rehab facility that mom is at is about 30 minutes from where mom lives. You have driven for more than 3 hours with your girlfriend and her son, and now your mom needs you and you are making excuses? I can't believe it. I can't. Neither sister is willing, wanting, should be, or no question that you should, and I am a mess at this point. I need to see my mom because ya'll know I don't play about my son or my mom.

I am sick and tired of them and nothing has changed and it's 2025....

I called my mom more than 5 times when she was transferred to the Rehab facility. Her and my son would talk on the phone after he got out of school, I would send pictures of the food I would cook, and me rearranging her room for when she comes home so it's more accessible. I've never been this long away from my mom. Talking on the phone is one thing with some, however, with me I need to see my mom in the physical. I can't tell you how many times I cried. How many times my son asked questions and I didn't know what to tell him because I didn't know. We are waiting for my mom to be released to come home is all I know. This is taking too long....

March 4th 2023...

My mom doesn't sound right. Why are they not feeding you diabetic meals? Everything was in the file when Orange Park Hospital transferred you there. Are you serious, this can't be happening. My mom is talking to me while she is in the rehab and she is not liking it. I never heard my mom speak in code like this before and it is making me nervous. I immediately contacted her nurse that is through Medicaid, and a few others. Many of the people I spoke with I know previously. I didn't contact the actual rehab because my mom was in the Army and she knows how to handle business. She only asks me when she needs extra help.

She even paid the electric from the rehab facility. I am really noticing things and I need to talk to my mom about it. We both agree that they aren't treating her right in this rehab. What can I do to get my mom out of there before they kill her or she dies in there?

My sisters aren't helping me and I don't have a license to go get my mom. So, I call the nurses from home care to go look at my mom and get her out of there. They did go, and the rehab nurses/doctors were there too. My mom began to turn for the worst a short time after.

March 15, 2023....

My mom is not doing so well and it felt like I had to beg my younger sister to take me to see my mother. And she took her precious time picking me up. Me and my son need to be loved. I don't think this family cares at all and from a little girl, I didn't comprehend it.

March 18, 2023...

My mom contracts a UTI that has been untreated for more than a week, she has lost a lot of weight, her mobility is almost none, and I need help!!! They aren't feeding my mom properly, no one is calling me from this rehab facility or returning my messages, and it's taking way too long for a transfer. Brooks Rehab is desperately waiting for my mom and you all are stalling on transfer papers that my mom and I have begged for. I am a fighter and I am also exhausted. I don't have a license and I am so limited that I can feel my mom dying and I can't stop it. The pain in my mom's voice over the phone angered me to the point that I froze.

Can I call the police and have them go get my mom with an ambulance to take her to Brooks Rehab? Will they do that? Please!!!!

March 21,2023...

Why aren't you answering the phone mom? Mom?

Hours later

"They took me to Baptist." my mom said. What? Huh, took you to Baptist? I don't understand. At least my mom is out of that horrible place. Fix my mom and hurry! When Sepsis sets, you have to act fast. Quickly!

I did get the opportunity to talk to my mom and she sounded like herself again. At this point, she hasn't told me anything. Only that she was at Baptist hospital after the rehab called an ambulance because my mom was constantly throwing up. Hmmm......

My mom hasn't eaten in almost a month? Not true. You are a rehab facility who is run by the State and funded by whoever. No way you are telling me that my mom hasn't received the diabetic meals she should be eating. My mom has blood pressure medication she takes on top of 2 others, and don't tell me that you weren't giving my mom her medicine either.

They weren't feeding my mom, they didn't give her the medication she needed, my mom told me that the Physical Therapy person would make fun of her and laugh. Saying that my mom could walk or do certain things. When I saw my mom she couldn't do what I knew her to do. Which was to take care of herself. She didn't like people taking care of her because it made her feel like an invalent.

My mom tells me they are taking her for surgery. What..surgery...for what? I figured it was the hernia my mom had.

March 30, 2023 @ 7:45 am

My mom passed away

I shook the hospital with my scream that it wasn't real. I called the hospital wondering why it is taking more than 5 hours for surgery and at that, why is my mom having surgery in the first place? Someone tell me something!!!!!!

I don't remember too much more after that.....

March 31, 2023-February 7, 2025

I'm calling my mom's phone to check on her after the surgery.

I am still waiting for my mom to pick up her phone.

**************

This is my story and I thank you for staying until I finished typing these memories. Every day is not a good day and every day is not a bad day. I can say that every day will never be the same. Elder abuse in rehabs or nursing homes should never happen. Sadly, they happen more than we would like to imagine. Many don't see justice or experience healing. Walking in my shoes, this story replays on a daily basis for me. My son stares at me because I look so much like his NaNa. Those questions still remain unanswered for my son and I....

Why? How could you?

February 7, 2025

I still stand firm, rooted in my faith just like my mom taught me. I am surrounded by my mom's things and it warms my heart when I look in the mirror. I miss her.

My mom passed of Sepis, organ failure, and 2 more that I can't type. This doesn't seem real and I keep waking up to a nightmare that won't end. I fought hard for my mom to do what I could do. I thought I had family to support me, and in the mist I feel betrayed and left alone. I laid in bed with my mom and I screamed again. And cried some more.

When a loved one is put into one of these facilities, please, I beg you, constantly visit and don't let it be a permanent place for them when you know something isn't right. I knew something wasn't right and I feel like I failed my mom and what I stand for is protecting the only parent I have left. Today, I have had an attorney for my mom since April of 2023. Many Neglect and Wrongful Death cases don't even go to trial. I want a voice for my mom and I want it loud.

I deserve an explanation as to why my mom passed and who had their hand(s) in it.

I wholeheartedly thank you for listening as I prepare for battle with another day. Love your moms please.

Gratefully,

The Bennett Family