Caregiver arrested for elder abuse in Costa Mesa

COSTA MESA, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2020) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) on Tuesday, Sept. 1, arrested Rima Abikaram, 50, Fullerton, on suspicion of elder abuse after she was caught on camera striking 91-year-old Jane Doe while in her care.
 
In 2015, Abikaram, a friend of the victim’s family, was hired as one of two caregivers to provide 24-hour care for 91-year-old Jane Doe, who lives in her Costa Mesa home and is confined to a medical bed.
 
Prior to the arrest, the second caregiver became concerned for the victim after noticing Jane Doe had sustained visible injuries and reported her concerns to Jane Doe’s family. The family subsequently installed a hidden camera in Jane Doe’s home to monitor the victim’s care. Ultimately, the hidden camera revealed Abikaram abusing and striking the victim.
 
On Aug. 18, 2020, after terminating Abikaram as a caregiver, the victim’s family called CMPD to report the elder abuse. That same day, an officer responded to the victim’s home and took a report.
 
During the investigation, video footage was reviewed and it was found that over a 4-day period, Abikaram struck the victim over 150 times. Medical reports showed that Jane Doe’s injuries included swelling to her face, a black eye, and a laceration to her arm. 
 
On Sept. 1, 2020, Abikaram was located at her home and arrested without incident. The case was then turned over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.