Florida officials discovered “an elderly woman living in extremely hazardous and unsanitary conditions” on Friday, leading to the arrest of her 56-year-old caregiver.
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the woman weighed around 90 pounds and “appeared severely neglected, with visible feces on her person and indications that she hadn’t bathed for a prolonged period.” Deputies observed insects crawling in her hair and on her body.
The caregiver, identified as Melanie Hess, was described by the sheriff’s office as “appearing clean, well-fed, and unaffected by the conditions in which the elderly woman was found.”
According to an arrest affidavit, Hess told deputies she lived at the home with the victim and her daughter, Treasure Coast News reported.
“It may be noted that pulling into the driveway, the house appeared to be abandoned, and the grass yard was severely overgrown with weeds,” the affidavit said. “Walking towards the home, I began to smell the strong odor of feces and urine associated with the smell of cats and other animals.”
“I looked through a window and observed a white elderly female (victim) laying on a bed in a room,” the report said, according to Law&Crime. “The bed was littered with leaves and appeared to have not been cleaned in a manner of time.”
The report said the home had electricity and running water but no air conditioning or working refrigerator, although the sheriff’s office social media statement said there was no running water. The sheriff’s office also said the home’s roof and interior walls were collapsing. Deputies found an insect infestation and said the victim was unable to tell them when she last ate.
The victim was taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. Hess was charged with neglect of elderly disabled adult without great harm and released on her own recognizance on Saturday, Treasure Coast News said.
