A man from Florida is facing serious allegations involving the fraudulent transfer of an elderly woman’s home into his name, amid claims of abuse and neglect facilitated with the assistance of a caregiver.

Enrique Navedo, aged 43, and Loy Lynn La Pierre, 58, are accused of mistreating the elderly woman in her St. Lucie County residence while Navedo allegedly attempted to illegally acquire her property through a quitclaim deed, as detailed in a police press release.

According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the victim recounted being deprived of food, confined within her own home, and compelled to use outdoor facilities for basic needs. She was reportedly forced to bathe in a small, makeshift tent using a garden hose that supplied only cold water, lacking any temperature regulation.

The authorities were alerted in July following a report to the Florida Department of Children and Families regarding the alleged physical abuse and neglect suffered at the hands of Navedo and La Pierre. This prompted an investigation, leading detectives to conduct interviews with the elderly woman to assess the situation.

During these interviews, it was revealed that the victim endured a “chronic, untreated wound” exposing internal tissue and bone, alongside several other medical issues attributed to “prolonged neglect,” according to the police.

The investigation further uncovered that Navedo had allegedly manipulated ownership of the victim’s home into his name fraudulently. The quitclaim deed in question appeared to be backdated and was filed over a year after its supposed signing, as reported by law enforcement.

A quitclaim deed is a legal document that “quickly transfers real estate ownership without guaranteeing a clear title,” according to Florida law firm Alper Law.

Navedo is facing charges of “fraud-swindle-obtain property $50,000 or more” and abuse of an elderly or disabled adult without great bodily harm. La Pierre is charged with abuse of an elderly or disabled adult without great bodily harm.

Both are being held at the St. Lucie County Jail on bond.