PSP: Daughter abused, threatened to kill 92-year-old mother with dementia
ZION GROVE – A 71-year-old Zion Grove woman was arraigned Tuesday, accused by state troopers of abusing and assaulting her 92-year-old mother, threatening to kill her and briefly throwing her out into the cold.
Eileen Haines, 71, of 15 Cherry Lane, was committed to Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 bail. She is facing 76 charges, including felony aggravated assault, strangulation, and numerous counts of misdemeanor abuse of a care dependent person.
According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper Bradley Tymchyshyn of the State Police at Frackville, Haines had a verbal agreement to live with and care for her 92-year-old mother who had dementia.
On Dec. 3, police were called to the Zion Grove home for reported elder abuse. The victim had been taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton for medical treatment.
The home had security cameras covering the exterior as well as the living room and kitchen, with audio capabilities in the kitchen.
Troopers said that footage showed Haines yelling at the victim throughout the day on Dec. 1 and into Dec. 2.
Haines struck the victim numerous times, troopers alleged, and threatened to kill the woman, saying at one point “I can make you die if I choose to, don’t threaten it to me, I could cut, I could poison your food and have you dead in five minutes.”
At one point, Haines is seen attempting to bind the woman’s feet together with tape.
Around 4am Dec. 2, troopers said Haines instructed the victim to get out of the house, sliding outside on her rear. The woman had on only a nightgown and one sock as the temperature hovered around 19 degrees, troopers said.
A few minutes later, Haines yells at the woman to get back inside. The woman yells that she can’t move and Haines refused to help and never provided the woman with a coat, gloves, hat, or blanket.
Around 5am, troopers said Haines attempted to put a rag in the woman’s mouth, sitting on her and saying “This is what hate is.”
“I will kill you,” Haines is quoted as saying by troopers. “I have ways to do it. I’ve been taught to kill a person in five minutes. Is that what you want? Then be quiet. I don’t want to hear a sound.”
Haines was arraigned Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and committed to Schuylkill County Prison.
A preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 8.
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