Family Sues Scottsdale Assisted Living After Elderly Man with Alzheimer’s Exits Undetected

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An 85-year-old man, Robert Pollmann, tragically died from heat exposure just weeks after moving into an assisted living facility. Pollmann had entered Brookhaven to receive care for Alzheimer’s disease when he walked out into the intense Arizona heat on June 23, 2024. This marked the last time he was seen alive.

According to a lawsuit, staff at Brookhaven did not realize he was missing for up to 40 minutes. Only after that extended period did they initiate a search and contact 911.

Two days later, Pollmann was discovered several blocks away by authorities. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner confirmed his death was due to prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.

Records from the Arizona Department of Health Services indicate Brookhaven had received civil penalties for previous violations, including issues related to resident egress from the facility. A December 2023 inspection highlighted that management failed to maintain adequate controls regarding residents’ exits.

Pollmann’s daughter has initiated legal action against Brookhaven, aiming for justice and greater awareness around similar incidents to prevent future tragedies. “We are seeing a systemic failure to protect vulnerable adults,” remarked Bob Boatman, the family’s attorney. He expressed skepticism about the facility’s ability to justify their lack of oversight.

Originally from South Dakota, Pollmann was an agriculture teacher and a cherished father. His family moved him from another facility after a previous attempt to escape by climbing a tree in May 2024. They sought a place that could offer closer supervision.

“Brookhaven assured us they could provide individualized care and ensure his safety,” said Tim Newman, another attorney representing the family.

The lawsuit claims negligence, citing inadequate supervision and failure to implement necessary safety measures. “They are legally required to have alerts to track residents, but they did not comply,” Boatman noted.

In the aftermath of Pollmann’s death, Brookhaven has entered a three-year settlement agreement with the state, which includes new employee training and the hiring of an independent consultant, penalizing them with a fine of $500 among other stipulations.

As of Monday, a Brookhaven representative declined to comment on the ongoing investigation.