Watch this clip from Channel 7 KOAT in New Mexico on our progress there and in 18 states!
“A harrowing ordeal that played out in the media, has inspired one woman to help others avoid the heartbreak she endured. Many viewers may remember Kerri Kasem’s battle to visit her father, radio icon Casey Kasem during his final months– she says, only to be rebuffed by his wife, who moved him from state to state, including here in Washington, before he passed away in June. Kerri is promoting a bill to help others in her situation get the rights they need to visit and tend to an ailing parent. Kerri shared more about the legislation, as well as how her Kasem Cares Foundation, is working to help families facing similar situations.”
SEATTLE — The daughter of the legendary Casey Kasem, host of “American Top 40” radio and TV show, is breaking her silence about the death of her famous father following a very public national drama played out near Seattle last year.
In her first full interview about it, Kerri Kasem explained how her famous father was kept from his family by his second wife, and the legal battle to get him back – even though it was too late to save his life.
“The doctor said, quote, ‘what was done to this man was inhumane’,” she said.
She warns it is the same nightmare that thousands of families face every year. And, she said, she intends to do something about it.
Casey Kasem was a friend of an entire generation, and Kerri said she is “so proud of my dad!”
Kerri Kasem says her famous dad, despite a divorce, was always there for his kids even at the height of his career. But Kerri accuses his second wife Jean Kasem of isolating him in his ailing years, eventually taking him to a tiny house near Bremerton despite his grave condition.
“Adult children don’t have the rights to ask for visitation to an ailing parent,” she said. “The only people that can give visitation is a spouse, a guardian, a conservator. And if any of those people say no, sorry – you’re never going to see your dad or mom again.”
By Victor R. Martinez / El Paso Times /
Texas House Bill 2665 — which partly states that if death is imminent, an emergency hearing must be held within 10 days — was approved by the House on May 8.
The bill also would require guardians to notify adult children of significant changes in their ailing parent’s health and of funeral arrangements after death.
“It was an awful situation, but it’s one I’ve seen before (without the same media attention) as an attorney,” Moody said in a statement to the El Paso Times in April. “No child should suffer the heartbreak of having a parent kept from them.”
He added, “The current law not only makes it possible for the guardian of an incapacitated adult to stand between that person and their children, it doesn’t provide any legal way for children to fight back.”
Kasem’s plight began in late 2013 when Casey Kasem’s second wife, Jean Kasem, allegedly prevented his children from seeing their father. He died in June 2014.
“My father told the court over and over again that he wanted to see his kids, and the court had no ability to rule on visitation,” Kasem said. “This bill would allow the judge to rule on visitation, it’s as simple as that.”
If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, Texas would be the second state to have such legislation.
Dinah Street, Joe Moody, Kerri Kasem and other supportive citizens testifying before a senate committee on behalf of the “Visitation Bill”.
You can watch video at the 12 min 40 second mark, the VISITATION BILL being discussed before the Texas committee in Austin: (Kerri Kasem and Dinah Street speak at 14:56): http://tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php
Good Day LA, Fox 11 Los Angeles
At the very end I ask the DA, Jackie Lacey to do her job and prosecute for elder abuse.
Elder Abuse should not go unpunished!
http://www.KasemCaresFoundation.org
Kasem Cares Foundation – Governor signs the Visitation Bill – Kerri Kasem
(DES MOINES) – Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that he will sign Senate File 306 on Friday, April 24, 2015, at 3 p.m. in the Governor’s Formal Office. Senate File 306 is an act relating to communication and visitation between an adult ward and another person.
The governor will be joined by Kerri Kasem, daughter of Casey Kasem, who lobbied for the bill after her late father was moved from his nursing home in California, first to Nevada and then to Washington without his children’s knowledge or consent. Kerri Kasem began lobbying lawmakers in states across the country for legislation that would prevent similar instances. Iowa will become the first state to enact such a bill.
Host: Kurt Kelly interviews the talented Kerri Kasem
In recognition of April as Parental Alienation Month, the Music & Awareness festival is designed to encourage loving relationships that both parents have with their children, regardless of the relationship between the parents themselves, by providing activities, workshops, playshops, and lots of music showcasing local bands and DJs. This is also a fundraising event for parents who need but can’t afford parenting classes and other court approved services.
Kids Need Both, Inc., in conjunction with Florida Court Ordered, is hosting a Music & Awareness Festival on Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25.
Kerri Kasem, Founder of the Kasem Cares Foundation will be speaking at the VIP reception on April 23, 2015. For more information on this event, go to KidsNeedBoth.org
Deciding whether someone is legally competent to make decisions regarding their estate plan is an issue many practitioners face with elderly clients. The assessed capacity required for legal competence increases with the seriousness of what is at stake. The usual explanation is that patient autonomy is being balanced against best interests. In many instances a family member may subject their loved one to abusive situations. This session will present four concepts critical to understanding abuse: autonomy, vulnerability, capacity and undue influence. Dr. Bonnie Olsen will be sharing this information with you. Following Dr. Olsen, Kerri Kasem will share her real life story –
As an entertainer and the daughter of a renowned celebrity, Kerri Kasem has lived more of her life in the spotlight than most of us. Unfortunately, recent circumstances put her private and very personal family tragedy on the front pages of the news this year. Her legal battle regarding the visitation and medical care of her father, radio icon Casey Kasem, has brought awareness and attention to a cause that many of us may face one day in today’s world of blended families.
SPEAKERS:
Bonnie Olsen, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University and her Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. She served as the medical psychologist for the UCIrvine/Orange County Elder Abuse Forensic Center for over 7 years where she evaluated alleged victims of financial, sexual or physical abuse. In addition, Dr. Olsen conducted cognitive and mental health assessments of frail elderly patients at the UCI Program in Geriatrics Health Assessment Program for Seniors’ for over 15 years. In the research domain, Dr. Olsen is the program director for an Administration on Aging grant to develop strategies for prevention of elder abuse in persons with dementia, is the principal investigator on a grant from the Archstone Foundation to develop educational materials for caregivers of dementia patients to prevent elder abuse and works with the team of professionals at the National Center of Elder Abuse currently located at USC. Dr. Olsen maintained a private practice in neuropsychological assessment, forensic assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy for more than 10 years before becoming a full-time faculty member.
Kerri Kasem is a multimedia personality, producer, and writer who has anchored numerous music, talk and entertainment programs for both radio and television. Kerri is the daughter of the late radio host and icon Casey Kasem. Since 1997, Kerri has followed in her father’s footsteps, hosting many radio programs. Kasem was co-host of the internationally syndicated Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx for four years, but left the show to fight for her father, and to lobby for the “Visitation Bill” AB2034 in California – a vision which in less than six months has seen legislation in four other states. She founded the Kasem Cares Foundation to establish and fight for the rights to have visitation and reasonable access to an ailing parent, especially when under the care and control of an uncooperative spouse or sibling.
GQ Magazine – February 2015 Edition
Such a powerful article called “The Long Strange Purgatory of Casey Kasem” including a touching tribute to a great man – my father and his loving and caring children Kerri, Mike and Julie.
The story is on news stands now!
