In a story that’s both infuriating and heartbreaking, a California woman is putting the spotlight on elder abuse after her family’s terrifying experience with a caregiver they thought they could trust. If you’ve ever had to hire someone to help care for a loved one, this story is likely to strike a nerve and make you think twice.
The California woman took to TikTok to share what was happening behind closed doors to her elderly, disabled mother. The footage she posted shows the so-called caregiver, identified as Julie Rothgeb, not just being cold or impatient, but full-on verbally abusing the woman she was supposed to be helping. And yes, there are receipts. Several videos from the family’s Ring camera system have surfaced, and they’re difficult to watch.
In one particularly disturbing clip, Julie can be seen waiting in the garage while the elderly woman slowly shuffles toward the car with her walker. Instead of being supportive or, at the very least, patient, Julie scolds her. “Keep your head up. Stop looking at the ground,” she barks. That’s already enough to raise eyebrows, but unfortunately, it only gets worse.
When Julie notices that her patient has peanut butter and jelly on her shirt, she unleashes a cruel verbal tirade. “You should be embarrassed,” she snaps. Then, shockingly, she calls the woman a “pig” and says she’s “disgusting.” You can literally hear the pain and confusion in the elderly woman’s voice as she quietly says “ow, ow” while Julie aggressively tries to wipe something off her.
Elderly California Woman Suffers Secret Abuse From Caregiver
Another video is just as upsetting. In it, Julie shoves an unknown item in her patient’s face while the woman tries to avoid it. “This is what you wanted to see,” Julie says in a sarcastic, menacing tone. The elderly woman, clearly distressed, pleads, “No, stop. Please. I don’t want to see it,” while trying to push Julie’s hands away.
The woman who posted the videos didn’t hold back. “Elderly abuse against my mother with what we thought was a trusted person. Julie Rothgeb, you should be ashamed of yourself,” she wrote in the caption of one clip. And honestly, it’s hard to disagree.
The internet didn’t stay silent either. Viewers were outraged and immediately called for action. “Press charges,” one person commented, and thankfully, the family responded with exactly what we all wanted to hear: “We are.”
Elder abuse is something that sadly doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. But thanks to this family’s bravery in coming forward and sharing their story, more people are waking up to the reality that not everyone who wears a caregiver badge deserves the title.
At least now, the situation is in the hands of the California legal system, where it belongs. No one, especially not someone vulnerable and elderly, should ever be subjected to this kind of treatment. Hopefully, this woman can now receive the compassion and care she truly deserves, and that justice will be served.
Casey James 
Kendra Quinn 
Kenna Raye 
