WEST BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Family members of a woman accused of abusing her 92-year-old mother told Channel 11 News Monday that they tried to get the allegations investigated several times before police went to the woman’s home last month.
Barbara Girdish, 64, of West Bethlehem Township, is charged with aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment.
She’s accused of holding her 92-year-old mother, Helen Girdish, against her will and beating her over a six-month period, according to police.
Outside of court Monday, Barbara Girdish proclaimed that she’s innocent.
“(I’m) not guilty,” she said.
When asked if she ever hurt her mother, Barbara Girdish replied, “I did the best I could, folks.”
Helen Girdish came in a wheelchair to her daughter’s preliminary hearing Tuesday to testify against her. Troopers said Helen Girdish was covered in bruises and had a brain bleed when they found her inside her West Bethlehem Township home in May.
Helen Girdish’s neighbors and relatives who showed up Tuesday claimed they called the area agency on aging multiple times about alleged abuse and no one investigated.
The executive director and head of legal services for the elderly told Channel 11 News that no calls that were made were not addressed. The executive director claimed the agency investigated every call and is very conscientious, adding their answering service is always a real person so calls are taken immediately and investigated.
Barbara Girdish’s hearing on Tuesday was postponed because she didn’t have a lawyer.
Helen Girdish’s friends were angry, saying Helen Girdish shouldn’t have to make the trip to court twice.
“She has been a real trooper, a hard worker, a good woman, who took time out to come in here and because someone dropped the ball, she's going to have to face it again here,” said Karen, a family friend.
Cox Media Group
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