Elderly Superior man abused by Thompson Falls caretaker

SUPERIOR - A caretaker is accused of abusing and stealing from an 84-year-old elderly Superior man.

Daryl Enos Strang of Thompson Falls was arrested in late April on suspicions of elderly abuse and exploitation of Ben Poat, according to Mineral County District Court documents filed by Mineral County Attorney Marcia Boris. 

Strang allegedly obtained power of attorney to take control of Poat’s property and assets while neglecting his health and well-being.

Poat has severe dementia, which was confirmed after a psychological assessment in October, according to the charging documents. Poat is also housebound and requires around-the-clock medical care for his illness. 

On May 12, Strang pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of abuse and exploitation of an elderly person in Mineral County District Court. 

In September 2013, a social worker from the Montana Department of Health and Human Services Adult Protective Services Division visited Poat at his home after a report of suspected elderly abuse. 

The social worker discovered untreated melanomas on Poat’s back and face that caused him to be at high medical risk. The worker also noted that Poat only had milk and peanut butter in the house, and two horses and a mule on his property were found to be extremely neglected, according to court documents. The mule had to be euthanized weeks later.  

Shortly after the caseworker visited, Poat’s sister contacted the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department with the belief that Strang was behind the neglect. She also said she believed Strang obtained Poat’s ranch, buildings, three vehicles and personal belongings through exploitation.

Wells Fargo Bank records show that Poat’s account had  $108,065 on Jan. 31, 2013, $98,836 on March 31 and $36,811 as of Aug. 31. The documents also noted that Strang wrote a number of checks to himself totaling $13,800. 

Attorney Lance Jasper was appointed to be Poat’s guardian by District Judge Ed McLean at an October hearing. The Western Montana chapter for the Prevention of Elder Abuse was also appointed Poat’s conservator, to manage and supervise his remaining assets. 

Strang admitted to Sanders County Detective Doug Dryden that as a caretaker he was aware Poat was experiencing health issues, according to court documents. Strang provided Poat with the milk and peanut butter because he believed he was “helping him out.” 

During the interview, Strang also said that Poat was aware that he was taking over his financial affairs when he became his caretaker in August or September of 2012. 

Strang told the detective that he was aware Poat “was experiencing cognitive problems to the extent that he needed assistance with meeting his physical needs as well as with managing his financial affairs as early as August or September of 2012.”

Strang also acknowledged he helped Poat with his finances, the court record said. 

A pretrial hearing was set for July 12 to determine if the case will move on to trial. Strang is out of the Mineral County Jail on $50,000 bond.