The incidents of elderly abuse at the Edgewood Vista assisted living facility in Virginia are simply sickening. Some of the most vulnerable people of our Iron Range community in need of precious loving care were instead treated shamefully.

Edgewood Vista officials did self-report to the county what months ago were allegations of abuse and suspended the workers at that time. That was proper and timely procedure.

The Office of Health Facility Complaints at the Minnesota Department of Health released a report that confirmed the allegations were true. Elderly abuse had happened at the facility. Details of the abuse that was witnessed are graphically disgusting.

But as cruel and vile as were those actions, it would also be wrong and unfair to take a broad brush of public opinion to the overall care of Edgewood Vista and the professionalism of its staff.

Edgewood Vista officials did self-report to the county what months ago were allegations of abuse and suspended the workers at that time. That was proper and timely procedure.

Edgewood Vista now has a major job of trying to maintain trust with the current residents and their family members. And how they handle the aftermath of this situation, including transparency in their hiring practices, will be closely watched by all, as should be the case.

The Virginia Police Department has launched an investigation and will turn over its findings to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office, where a determination will be made on whether charges will be filed.

Public emotions, understandably, are running high over this issue. Names are being demanded.

It’s important for law enforcement to be allowed to do its job and then for the County Attorney’s office to take it from there.

And if the investigation leads to the same findings as the state, to incidents of a pattern of physical and emotional abuse, then charges definitely need to be brought.

My goodness, there are advocates galore for charges to be filed when animals are abused. At the very least, our elderly need all of us to be their advocates when such incidents see the light of day.

— Mesabi Daily News, Sept. 3