Saugus man charged with assault on mother in critical condition

SAUGUS – An elderly Saugus woman is in critical condition and her son is held without bail on an abuse charge after police said the defendant used a garden hose to give his incontinent mother enemas.The defendant’s sister, however, said her brother had dedicated his life to caring for his mother and would never intentionally harm her.Arthur Leblanc, 51, of 23 Johnson St., Saugus, was arrested and charged with assault and battery on an elderly / disabled person with serious injury; at 4:12 p.m. Wednesday. A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf at his arraignment Thursday in Lynn District Court.Essex Assistant District Attorney Maria Markos and court-appointed defense attorney Todd Murphy did not discuss details of the case in open court. The attorneys appeared at sidebar with the judge, and Murphy announced his client stipulated that there was probable cause to be held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.But Saugus Police say the charges stem from an Adult Protective Services report on behalf of the alleged victim, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and was admitted to a local hospital for surgery to repair a perforated bowel.The Adult Protective Services report states the injuries may have been caused by Leblanc using a garden hose with a nozzle to clean his mother’s rectum, according to a report by Saugus Police Det. Thomas Gaeta.”Leblanc states his reason for doing this was to make sure that his mother does not accidently go to the bathroom while at her day program,” police reported.Leblanc invited investigating officers to his home to show them the device, which Leblanc said used parts that his father bought from Home Depot. Leblanc allegedly described for police how he had used the device to clean his mother every day for the past three months and then how he helped her get dressed.Leblanc’s father allegedly told police he came up with the idea for the hose. Police seized the device and arrested Leblanc two days later, according to the report.Judge Cathleen Campbell ordered Leblanc held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for July 3.Outside the courtroom, Charlene Leblanc said her brother was devoted to his parents, and doctors and nurses have commended him for his care of his parents.”He loves his mother more than his own life ? he is the most kindest, gentlest person,” Charlene Leblanc said. “He doesn’t deserve this.”Charlene Leblanc said she was collecting statements from her mother’s doctors and nurses to verify her brother was a good caregiver and she visited regularly to ensure her parents were in good health. Her father did not want to comment.Charlene Leblanc later called to reiterate that her brother was devoted to his parents. She acknowledged she wanted to know what had happened to her mother and whether the injuries were caused maliciously or by accident or even related to the cleaning method. She also gave the name of a nurse caring for her mother.A Lahey Hospital and Medical Center spokesman said he could only say that the alleged victim was in critical condition as of Sunday.