Vulnerable

Vulnerable Mainers Often Enter Guardianships Without Legal Aid, Report Finds

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Augusta, Maine — A new analysis by Disability Rights Maine highlights a concerning trend in the state’s guardianship system, revealing that an overwhelming majority of adults placed under court-appointed guardians have no legal representation. The study, covering the years 2019 to 2021, exposes that 75% of these individuals did not have an attorney to advocate for their rights during the critical moments when their autonomy was being removed. Disability Rights Maine, under the leadership of Legal Director Lauren Wille, has been pivotal in addressing this issue, striving to rectify cases where the rights of adults, … Read more

Oklahoma County Faces Social Service Shutdowns Impacting Vulnerable Populations Due to New Legislation

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OKLAHOMA CITY — Several social service programs crucial to the elderly and low-income residents in Oklahoma County are set to end this month due to a newly enacted state law. These include services like the Homeless Navigator Program, which helps connect the unhoused with various service providers, and the county’s pharmacy that offers free prescriptions to those in need. Leaders in Oklahoma County have expressed dissatisfaction with the law’s implications, stressing its adverse effects on the community’s most vulnerable groups. Joe Blough, the deputy chief commissioner of Oklahoma County’s first district, pinpointed the cause to … Read more

Justice Served: Serial Rapist Receives Four Life Sentences for Targeting Vulnerable Victims

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Dallas, Texas — A man accused of preying on vulnerable individuals has been convicted on multiple counts of rape, leading a jury to sentence him to four life terms, according to Texas authorities. The sentences, handed down after a gripping trial, underline the severity of his crimes spanning several years. The convict, identified as James Allen Rickard, faced a jury that deliberated for less than three hours before returning the guilty verdicts for raping women who were in situations of vulnerability. The courtroom was marked by a palpable tension as each sentence was read. Prosecutors … Read more

Rising Dangers: Youngsters Most Vulnerable to Fireworks-Related Injuries During Holiday Celebrations

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WASHINGTON – As the United States gears up to celebrate Independence Day with traditional pomp and pageantry, many will light up the sky with fireworks. However, amid the excitement, it’s significant to underscore the varying regulations on fireworks across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as a rising concern over safety — particularly for the youth. Fireworks, although a staple of Fourth of July celebrations, pose a myriad of safety risks. Recent statistics indicate a surge in firework-related injuries, especially among teenagers and children, highlighting a need for increased public awareness and … Read more