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Woman accused of abusing elderly mother in York County gets continuance

Posted at 6:06 PM, Mar 27, 2015
and last updated 2015-03-28 05:57:45-04

York County, Va. - A woman accused of abusing her elderly mother ran away from our cameras after leaving court Friday.

A judge granted a continuance in the case against Cherolyn Shortt.

NewsChannel 3 met up with her and her lawyer outside the courthouse in York County.

We repeatedly asked Shortt about the accusations against her.

Her lawyer, Robert Lawrence said she would not discuss the case with us.

He said the accusations against her are false.  He claims Shortt was only trying to help her mother.

Her trial was scheduled for Thursday but a judge ordered a continuance.

NewsChannel 3 first told you about this case in December.

She was arrested for abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult.

Shortt was living at her mother's house because the elderly woman was having a hard time getting around, according to Shortt's attorney.

A criminal complaint states that a family member walked into the house and said there was blood all over the rug and that Shortt was standing over her mother yelling.

The report states Shortt ordered her mother to go to bed,  when she wouldn’t, Shortt picked up her up,  dropped her on the bedroom floor then pulled her across the floor causing her skin to tear on her arms.

Lawrence said there was blood because the elderly woman fell down on her own and Shortt was trying to help her back up.   He said the elderly woman had fallen down several times in recent weeks.

Shortt's mother was in the courtroom on Thursday in a wheelchair.

She  left the courthouse with other relatives who had little to say.  One family member they are satisfied with what the judge ordered.

We tried several times to give Shortt the opportunity to answer our questions about what happened but she ran to her SUV.

Just as she was getting into her SUV she said she loves her mother.

There had been a protective order taken out against Shortt, but the judge ruled on Thursday that Shortt can go visit her mother as long as she is under supervision with someone who is aware of the charges she is facing.

The trial is now scheduled for March 25, 2016.