[Vision2020] PSA: If You See Something, Know Something, or Suspect Something - SAY SOMETHING

[Saundra Lund]

Visionaries,

 

As those who've read V2020 and local news recently are aware, there was a
tragedy of nightmare proportions that happened in our community in November,
2013 when Lee Pohrman, a vulnerable adult who had served our country, died
following

prolonged malnutrition while allegedly in the "care" of two alleged human
beings.  During Mr. Pohrman's time in hell in the alleged "care" of the
accused, the accused allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars from this
veteran in addition to allegedly stealing over ten thousand dollars in
public assistance from we-the-taxpayers.  Frankly, we don't give a rip about
the alleged welfare fraud in this instance, but we do care deeply that Mr.
Pohrman's life was stolen from him.

 

One would hope the tragic details -- including exactly how a veteran came to
be in the care of the accused, one of whom was a convicted felon apparently
under the supervision of a probation officer  -- of the reported horror of
Mr. Pohrman's final months of life will see the light of day in court and
that all those responsible -- whether those currently accused and/or others
-- will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  Given that no
charges have been filed for Mr. Pohrman's actual death, forgive our lack of
faith.  Nothing would make us happier than to be proven wrong.

 

In any case . . . 

 

Most of us have probably seen a lot of coverage about the importance of
reporting child and domestic abuse when we see or suspect it, and there's
been an increasing awareness about the importance of taking animal abuse
seriously, particularly since people who abuse animals often also abuse
domestic partners and children.

 

However, we need to be just as vigilant about keeping our eyes open for the
abuse of vulnerable adults like Mr. Pohrman.  Following Mr. Pohrman's tragic
and unnecessary death, we hope local media will take the opportunity to
raise public awareness to hopefully prevent such a horrendous tragedy from
ever again happening in our community.

 

While Rose and I are aware there are resources available for those who have
concerns about situations vulnerable adults may be in, perhaps that's not
something everyone knows.  Just as we have Child Protective Services, we
also have Adult Protective Services.  To learn more about Adult Protective
Services (APS) in Idaho, please check out the following link:

http://www.idahoaging.com/protection/index.html

 

On that page, there is a pop-up link to locate the appropriate agency for
different regions in the state.  Please be aware that your confidentiality
(except when otherwise ordered by a court) is protected when contacting APS.
You can also find other helpful information at the above link.

 

Additionally, one can always contact local law enforcement via 911 to
request a welfare check when one has emergency concerns.

 

Reportedly, one of the accused had made comments to others about Mr.
Pohrman's alleged refusal to allow himself to be helped:

"But I can't force him to do anything and that's what I tried to explain to
most people. If he's not going to be willing to let me help him, then
there's nothing I can do about it."

 

Had even one of those "most" people made a call to APS or local law
enforcement to express concern, Mr. Pohrman wouldn't have died in such
wretched conditions.

 

Please spread the word that that APS exists to take reports and investigate
whenever anyone has concerns about the circumstances of a vulnerable adult.
It's far, far, far better to err on the side of safety than to ignore
concerns -- someone's life may depend on it.  Mr. Pohrman's life certainly
depended on it.

 

If you see something, know something, or even suspect something , SAY
SOMETHING.  It's what you'd want someone to do for YOUR loved one.

 

Mr. Pohrman, RIP.  We're deeply, deeply sorry our community failed you.

 

 

Saundra Lund                    Rosemary Huskey

Moscow, ID                        Moscow, ID

 

 

To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards out of men.

~ Abraham Lincoln

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