A Florida son is facing charges in the death of his partially paralyzed father, who was discovered thin, dirty, and smelling of rotting flesh.
Alton Leamon Cardwell, 45, is charged with aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person for the death of his father, Jimmy Lamar Cardwell, 71, according to online court records.
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According to the document, the victim suffered a stroke six years ago, leaving him paralyzed on his left side. His son took on the role of full-time caregiver, according to a probable cause affidavit outlining the allegations.
The case was brought to light on August 28. An officer responded to the intensive care unit at Rockledge Regional Medical Center in response to a death investigation call.
Jimmy Cardwell was rushed into emergency surgery due to his poor physical and medical condition, according to the affidavit.
The report goes into detail about how the victim was discovered. He appeared thin and dirty. He had extremely long fingernails and hair.
The victim also had an infected left foot with severely overgrown toenails and dead skin. The victim had two severe pressure ulcers: one on his back and one on his right shoulder.
The pressure ulcer on his back was severely infected, oozing pus, and his bone was visible. According to the affidavit, he smelled like rotting flesh and suffered from severe muscle wasting.
When doctors arrived, the victim stated that he did not feel safe at home and believed he was being abused.
Police interviewed the son at his Rockledge home, where he stated that he was his father’s primary caregiver and that his father had been bedridden for two years. Rockledge is over 50 miles southeast of Orlando.
He informed investigators that he bathed him every few days and fed him every day. However, he eventually admitted to bathing him every few months.
When asked how he provided food and supplies for the victim, the defendant stated that the victim received $2,000 in social security payments each month.
When asked about the $2,000 spent on the victim, he could only account for $300 in supplies. He stated that some funds were used for rent and other household expenses.
When asked about the victim’s left foot, the son stated that he was aware of the condition but chose not to clean it because the victim would complain and kick him if he did.
He stated that he had not sought medical attention for the victim’s foot. When asked about the victim’s pressure ulcer on his back, the defendant stated that it had only been a week and was not too bad, according to the affidavit.
The defendant was arrested earlier this month. He’s being held in the Brevard County Jail. A court date has not been scheduled.