Man, who was hired to take care of a 75-year-old woman hit and kicked the patient in the head, leaving her dead, only because he didn’t like the noise coming from her room; sentenced
Illinois – In a tragic Illinois case that highlights the severe consequences of elder abuse, a 46-year-old man has been sentenced to a 60-year term in state prison for the murder of a 75-year-old woman he was hired to take care of. The caregiver, identified as D. Rogatchev, was convicted of first-degree murder after fatally beating the woman over a dispute about the volume of her television.
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 3, 2019. According to the attorney’s office, Rogatchev became increasingly aggravated with S. Jackson, the elderly woman he was assigned to care for, because she preferred to watch television at a high volume. This frustration escalated into a deadly altercation that resulted in Jackson suffering a fatal injury to the brain.
Rogatchev was sentenced to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole, effectively ensuring that he will spend the remainder of his life behind bars. The harsh sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the betrayal of trust inherent in the caregiver-patient relationship. On the night of the incident, authorities responded to a distressing 911 call from an apartment complex where Jackson resided. Upon arrival at approximately 2:30 AM, they found Jackson unconscious and unresponsive. She was quickly transported to the hospital, where she was treated for severe injuries.
Initially, Rogatchev told the authorities that Jackson had mixed alcohol with her prescription medications, which included hydrocodone and muscle relaxers, leading to her fall. He claimed that she awoke around 2 a.m., asking for more pain medication, which he refused. Following her collapse, he stated that he placed her in a chair and promptly dialed 911. However, this account was soon brought into question. A hospital administrator contacted the police later that morning, expressing suspicion that Jackson was a victim of elder abuse due to the nature of her life-threatening injuries. The medical staff quickly determined that there was no alcohol in Jackson’s system, contradicting Rogatchev’s claims. Furthermore, the injuries she sustained were inconsistent with a simple fall.
An autopsy performed the following day confirmed the worst fears: Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide resulting from severe injuries to the brain caused by blunt force trauma. Confronted with the medical evidence, Rogatchev eventually confessed to assaulting Jackson in a fit of rage, though he claimed he could not recall the exact details due to his emotional state at the time.
The community and Jackson’s family were left reeling from the horrific nature of the crime. The case also drew attention to the broader issues of elder abuse and the responsibilities of caregivers. In court, the prosecution emphasized the trust placed in Rogatchev and how he egregiously violated that trust to commit a heinous act. Rogatchev is required to serve the entire 60-year sentence. Jackson’s case serves as a somber reminder of the need for vigilance and strict standards in the caregiving profession to protect the most vulnerable from such unfathomable harm.
