Emotional Mickey Rooney to Senate: I'm a Victim of Elder Abuse

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted Mar 2nd 2011 08:45PM

Just two weeks after Mickey Rooney was granted a restraining order against his stepson after accusing him of abuse, the entertainment legend asked a Senate committee to stop elderly abuse.

CNN.com reports the 90-year-old gave emotional testimony to the Senate Special Committee on Aging on Tuesday. The actor described feeling "scared, disappointed, yes, and angry."

"You can't believe that it's happening to you," Rooney continued. "You feel overwhelmed."

Rooney asked the committee to make elderly abuse a specific crime. "I'm asking you to stop this elderly abuse. I mean to stop it. Now. Not tomorrow, not next month, but now," he urged.

"For years I suffered silently. I didn't want to tell anybody. I couldn't muster the courage, and you have to have courage," Rooney revealed Wednesday. "I needed help, and I knew I needed it. Even when I tried to speak up, I was told to shut up and be quiet."

Rooney was granted a temporary restraining order against his stepson last month after accusing him of withholding food and medicine. In addition to the restraining order, Rooney's attorneys also obtained temporary conservatorship over his financial assets.

"All I want to do is live a peaceful life, to regain my life and be happy," Rooney said in a released statement at the time. "I pray to God each day to protect us, help us endure, and guide those other senior citizens who are also suffering."

Tags: Mickey Rooney

Comments

(40)

Wednesday 02 March

By SUSAN

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I've read about Mickey's abuse for the past couple of weeks.
The real tragedy is that his wife, Jan, refuses to stop her son.

I'm sorry, Mickey, but if it takes yet another divorce to save your life--then, so be it!

By Will

That's messed up. I want 5 minutes alone with that prick!

Thursday 03 March

By Ray

You'll have to get in line after me. Mickey Rooney is a man that most Americans would be truly honored to meet and shake hands with... One of our great treasurs for sure.

By joann

Senior Abuse is a real thing and it needs to stop. After making it to 90 years of age and to have to suffer at the hands of someone who is taking advantage of you is a crime. Where was his wife while all of this was going on? This was her son and she's younger than Mickey Rooney, couldn't she have stepped in?

By LEARNED MY LESSON

Definitely check on your elderly relatives. If you know someone who has an elderly parent, friend, or family member in a nursing home or has an attendent or aide with them CHECK ON THEM AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. The same goes for those with MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN AND ADULTS. WE MUST HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT EFFECTIVELY FEND FOR THEMSELVES. Don't Let A Nice Demeanor or Smile and Right Words Lull You into not being dilligent in making absolutely sure everything is truly going as well as can be.

By nk

This is so wrong, on so many levels...
What's the deal with his wife?
Why won't stop her idiot son?
She's a hell of a lot younger than Mickey Rooney.....she's not near 90......
I find this so tragic.....

By Gregory

Very sad! What's wrong with the world today? The elderly should be cherished and provided the utmost respect! Eighteen plus years of their lives are generally given up to raising children and ensuring their every need is met. Japan has the right idea, there the elderly are cherished and virtually worshipped. All countries throughout the world should do the same. Mickey is also ABSOLUTELY correct, the abuse of any elderly person must be stopped - IMMEDIATELY!

By birgitta Loeser

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Hi, I happen to personal know one of Mickeys daughters she lives in Boone NC. Her so called father Mickey Rooney never gave her anything. He deserves any bad treatment he gets he was awful to his daughter. don't feel sorry for this old nasty man. He never gave her anything. He is a cheep nasty old man.

By Deb

His wife just gave an interview on the news not more than a week ago denying elder abuse. How did they get control of his life and money in the first place? Mickey had to sign something. What happened to this country? Is it truly run by greed? So sad.

Friday 04 March

By Clara

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Birgetta, why is he required to give anything to his daughter? Our parents are not required t give us anything. Mickey Rooney had financial difficulties and worked until he was in his 80s. Perhaps his daughter should try it.

By Barbara

We have to take care of them,they were here before us.Why do people take advantage of the weak and fragle,they deserve respect until the end.

By JoAnn

I feel so bad for him. He has always been such a good person. I remember a long time ago he said you should marry your best friend. It was good advice and worked for me. H wish him all the best. His step-son and wife should be punished severely for what they have done to him. Probably for his money.

By d*e*n*n*i*s

in recent days i have had to deal with nursing homes talk about abuse why doesnt someone make these instutions a happy place for the elderly prisoners get better care than thoes who have payed into the system all their lives all i can say is some day you to will be old the govt is paying for some people who stay at these facilities u think they wiuld moniter how their dough is being used god helpus all

By rose

I cannot believe my eyes and ears of this very sad note. I dearly love Mickey Rooney and to think that his own family are being so cruel to him makes my stomach so upset. This is a sad world we are living in. Hope his wife and step son get what the deserve. That for sure they won't make it to heaven. Mickey hang in there and get the hell far away from all the crap. Take good care of yourself. We love you. rose

By familygirl

Mickey Rooney is an American icon and does not deserve this treatment. Greed and no respect. Something has to be done. This abuse happened to my parents. Verbally abused and moved far away from their home, kids and grandkids. No rights.

By Jo

This is the first I've heard of the abuse. No senior citizen should be subjected to such a horrible situation. Withholding food and medication is tantamont to premeditated murder in my books.

By notanaxkiller

Unfortunately, conditions are bad for seniors at nursing homes all over america, and anyone that does not believe this, if they live long enough, will get a chance to experience it for themselves.

By Lynn

I love the movies of Micky Rooney and wish with all my heart that I could help him. He has given much to America and deserves to be treated with respect and honor.
It is so pitiful that this living legend and icon should be miss treated in such a way. Hang in there Mr. Rooney. You don't deserve anything but the best!

By zorajazz

it really makes me mad. Just because he was in a few movies you think he is special. Well, ask his daughter josie, how special he is. He totally ignored her, never helped her with anything. She worked at the Ralph Lauren store in Blowing Rock Nc. for several years. When she was getting married he sent her a token present. So please stop putting this nasty old man on a pedestal.
He does not deserve it.

By sue

So because he wasn't the best father around he deserves to be abused? He only gave a token wedding gifts so lets let him be abused. Are you serious? First of all we have no idea how he treats his daughter. You have her side of the story. There are two sides and then the truth.
I don't care if he never gave her a dime. He doesn't deserve to be abused.

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