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My father John H. Taylor was a God fearing, caring, humble, and hardworking man who worked for 30 years at the steel mill as a crane operator and then shift supervisor to provide for his family. I must say that over my childhood and adult years, my father made sure that our family wanted for absolutely nothing. Our needs as well as our wants were always meant. My dad was married to my mom Marie for nearly 48 years, but she lost her battle with lung cancer, just twenty days shy of their wedding anniversary. Shortly after his loss, a new companion arrived by the name of Justice, our family dog, and the two became inseparable.
Before his illness, my father was very artistic with drawing and painting. He could sew and cook and loved to fish. On any given day, not just Sunday, you would always see my dad leaving the house wearing a hat. He always thought it was important to look your best. Simply, he was a neatly dressed proud man who loved his family.
Over the years, my father developed some health issues, but not anything that required more than a pill. However, on March 1, 2006 my father suffered a stroke, followed by another in May of that same year. He went to rehabilitation and returned home in September 2006. My father was recovering nicely. He was able to speak and feed himself with assistance, but overall doing quite well for a man who had suffered two strokes just months prior. Unfortunately, in May 2007, while being cared for in his home, my father at age 90, fell victim to elder abuse.
On May 19, 2007, my 90 year old father John H. Taylor was violently beaten by a caregiver I hired to care for him in our home. In reviewing these disturbing surveillance videos, I discovered that three more beatings had taken place during that same month. The news of my father's story has been seen around the country and in many countries worldwide, and has made a major impact on countless families and careproviders.
The caregiver, Anastacia Oluoch was arrested on May 19, 2007, and charged with 4 counts of vulnerable adult abuse/neglect, 4 counts of second-degree assault, and 4 counts of reckless endangerment. She was released on $5000 bail on May 22nd. What adds insult to injury is that Anastacia was able to make bail with the money that my Dad and I was paying her to care for him. Anastacia appeared at the arraignment on June 29th, but failed to appear for trial August 8, 2007. Due to the judicial system's relaxed attention to this case, on July 31, 2007, eight days before the trial, Anastacia a 53 year old Kenyan native, was able to flee our country and return to Kenya.
Anastacia Oluoch was free; while my father became confined to the hospital critical care unit of a nursing home facility. As a result of the beatings, my father's health rapidly declined, leaving him with a tracheotomy and a feeding tube. The doctors believed that my father either suffered a brain seizure or had a stroke. My father was eventually weaned from life support in August 2007, but found himself back on after suffering a heart attack in October. Prior to this violent attack, my father was able to sit in his wheelchair, eat three meals a day, and have small conversations.
I honestly believe, had it not been for this unfortunate turn of events, my father would have still been enjoying the comforts of his home. The goal was to have my Dad return home. Sadly, on the morning of February 10, 2009, my father John Henry Taylor, peacefully departed this life, and went to be with his creator, and just fifty-five days later, my father's beloved companion Justice made her way to join her Pop Pop. The year 2009 was not an easy one, but with time the healing process began to take place. I thank you for your outpouring of love, support and concern over the past twenty-one months that my dad was in critical care. The phones calls, emails, text messages, cards and letters, and thoughtful words certainly did not go unnoticed. Those acts of kindness was what held my Dad and I together, so thank you so very much. May God continue to bless you and your families.
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