Adult Protective Services

Responsibilities

Adult Protective Services (APS) investigates neglect, self-neglect, battery, and exploitation of endangered adults as defined by Indiana statute 12-10-3-2. An endangered adult in the state of Indiana is a person—aged 18 or older, who is physically and/or mentally incapacitated AND falls under some type of abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation.

For more information on APS in Indiana, please click the following link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/adult-protective-services/.

Organization

Since 1985, the State of Indiana has required people who are aware of adult endangerment to report it to authorities. APS investigates reports of Adult endangerment which is defined by Indiana code: 12-10-3-2.

Tippecanoe County is considered the “hub unit” for eight total counties. APS Unit 4 consists of four investigators that cover Tippecanoe County as well as Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Warren, and White County. APS receives funding from the state but is under the direct supervision of the Tippecanoe County Prosecuting Attorney. Indiana is the only state in which APS is housed in the prosecutor’s office.

APS investigators are NOT emergency responders. APS operates Monday- Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.  If the alleged endangered adult needs immediate assistance, dial 9-1-1.

An adult may be endangered if he/she/they is: 18 years of age or older and unable to protect themselves due to being mentally or physically disabled to the point of which they cannot direct their own care AND is being battered, neglected, exploited, or is self-neglecting.

Report Abuse

There are multiple ways to report abuse of an endangered adult. If an endangered adult is in immediate danger, dial 9-1-1 or call law enforcement immediately.

To report suspected abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of an endangered adult in Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Warren, and/or White County, contact APS Unit 4 at 765-423-9307.

APS has a state hotline reporting tool. Fill out the online form to file a complaint about the alleged abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of an endangered adult. Once submitted, the report filters through to the proper APS unit. A report can also be submitted via hotline: 1-800-992-6978.



Signs of Endangerment/Neglect

  • Aggressive behavior (threats, insults, harassment, etc).
  • Conflicting accounts of incidents.
  • History of substance abuse, mental illness, criminal behavior, or family violence.
  • Indifference or anger toward the dependent person.
  • Not allowing the dependent person to talk or see visitors.
  • Withholding affection.

Financial Abuse Indicators

  • A recent will when elder seems incapable of writing a will.
  • Living environment not comparable with income.
  • Missing furniture, silverware, jewelry, etc.
  • Numerous unpaid bills.
  • Refusal to spend money on dependent person for health care of personal items.
  • Unusual or inappropriate activity in bank accounts.

Physical Indicators

  • Any injury inconsistent with history.
  • Bruises on the upper arms or in the shape of object.
  • Cigarette burns.
  • Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds.
  • Dehydration or malnutrition.
  • Frequent use of emergency room or hospital.
  • Injury that has not been cared for.
  • Lack of necessities in the home, such as water, food, and medicine.
  • Presence of old and new bruises at the same time.
  • Soiled clothing or bed.

Behavioral Indicators

  • Confusion or disorientation.
  • Denial, unlikely stories.
  • Fear, withdrawal, non-responsive, hesitation to talk openly, helplessness, depression, agitation, anxiety, and anger.