Mickey Rooney Charges Step Children with Elder Abuse

Los Angeles, CAMickey Rooney, the legendary child star and Hollywood icon, has given testimony before a Senate panel on elder abuse, CBS News reports. Rooney, now 90 years of age, alleges that his two step children took his money and cut off his care.

"When a man feels helpless, it is terrible. And I was helpless," Mickey Rooney said. "For years I suffered silently, unable to muster the courage to seek the help I knew I needed."

Rooney reportedly told the Senators that it proves that elder abuse can happen to anyone, a situation, other witnesses said, that sadly happens frequently. "I'm asking you to stop this elderly abuse," Rooney said. "I mean stop it now. Not tomorrow, not next month, but now."

A judge in Los Angeles had previously extended a restraining order Rooney had obtained against his stepson, Christopher Aber, who was ordered to stay away from the retired actor until After April 5.

CBS News reports that a conservatorship has been established to protect Rooney’s money, which he claims has been mismanaged by Aber. The stepson is also accused of preventing Rooney from leaving his home and threatening the actor verbally.