Health

BAGLEY, Minn. (WCCO) ― For 50 years Clarice and Jennings Sunderland have spent their lives together. Clarice is a retired nurse and Jennings continues to carve out a life on this dairy farm south of Bagley.

Earlier this year the Clearwater county couple celebrated a golden wedding anniversary. Soon after, family noticed a big change in the woman who cared for so many - for so long.

"I couldn't hardly believe it that she was getting like that," Jennings said as he fought back the tears.

For the past several months, Clarice's Alzheimer's symptoms had been growing increasingly worse. Fearing her state of confusion would cause her to wander unexpectedly into the wilderness surrounding their farm, Jennings did what he thought was right. He innovated as a farmer often does and found a link of chain to fashion into an alarm.

"I took this old little cow chain, put it around her and I had my hand on the chain, so if she wiggled then she'd wake me up," Sunderland explained.

But the county's attorney and its department of social services saw his kindness as cruelty. Jennings was arrested and jailed for false imprisonment. Clarice was taken to a local hospital for examination and later transferred to a nursing home.

The couple's children said investigators never attempted to inform them of the situation. Furthermore, they blame authorities with overreacting.

"My dad was a broken man, he was absolutely a broken man. And all he was doing was trying to keep my mother safe," said daughter Theresa McLean.

McLean said it goes beyond humiliation. After spending the night in the county jail, Jennings had to face a judge in court the next day. Their 78-year-old father was made to walk in leg irons, according to courthouse policy, and not allowed to visit Clarice for the next 20 days.

"I think it could have all been avoided. Social Services, that's what they're there for, is to help the community, not to persecute them," said an angry Connie Krivich, another of the couple's daughters.

Ten weeks after the ordeal began, it appears from the judicial side to be over. Clarice is now free to go back home after her two daughters were appointed co-guardians. Also, felony charges of false imprisonment against their father were dropped by County Attorney Jeannine Brand.

But to the Sunderland family, it's far from over. They are asking for Brand to apologize, something she vows not to do.

"It's the county's responsibility to protect and investigate vulnerable adults. It was handled appropriately," added Brand.

But, family members blame the county's action for putting Clarice at more risk. She was transferred to another nursing home after serious problems with her care surfaced. After she was moved from the hospital to the nursing home, Clarice's body became badly bruised. Her Alzheimer's medication was improperly administered and her wrist was fractured.

They said it was serious mistreatment that was never reported to social service investigators as required under state law. The Minnesota Department of Health is now looking into the case.

For Jennings and his children the county's actions caused greater harm to Clarice. Not to mention the emotional bruises to a long caring husband.

"Yeah, it was hurtful in a way, it sure was," he said.

People who need help with this disease can reach the Alzheimer's Association at 800-272-3900 or click on the link below.
Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter

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