EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – An Evansville couple is in jail after police say they found an adult family member with special needs in deplorable conditions.
Tamera Eaton and Micheal Tinsley are charged with neglect of a dependent causing injury and obstruction of justice.
Police say the two had been caring for Tinsley’s autistic brother, Terry Caldwell, because their mother recently died.
The brother is non-verbal and not able to care for himself, and Sgt. Anthony Aussieker says people with disabilities should not be in places like the one Caldwell was.
“They need safety, they need shelter, they need food, and he wasn’t provided that,” Aussieker stated. “You know, this is someone that needed that just to sustain normal life, not even able to bathe themselves appropriately, so it’s just heartbreaking that somebody that has a familial relationship would allow that to happen.”
Officers say another sister called from out of state because she was worried for the special needs brother.
Police say they went to the home on W. Missouri Street on Sunday.
They say Eaton wouldn’t let them in claimed Adult Protective Services had already been there.
A few days later, a medical device company employee called to report unsafe conditions in the home.
On Wednesday, police say they returned.
They say nobody would answer until they threatened to force the door open.
Police say the special needs brother was on the couch, and the blanket covering his legs was stuck to several wounds on his feet.
“When you take on that role of a caregiver, you’re acceting responsibility, and in this situation here they accepted this responsibility but they didn’t take appropriate care of Terry,” Aussieker stated.
They say a burn was also found on his arm, and he showed signs of malnutrition.
Officers say the home smelled of decay, and every space was filthy. They say it appeared the floor was caving in, and the water was shut off.
They say the fridge didn’t have any food in it.
The brother was taken to the hospital, and Eaton and Tinsley were taken to jail.
EPD officials say they have advice to anyone who suspects abuse.
“Always call us, call Adult Protective Services, call Indiana Child Protective Services, wherever that falls, and then don’t stop calling. If you are concerned with someone, call and keep calling.”
CPS: 1-800-800-5556
APS: 1-800-992-6978
These arrests come after another adult neglect arrest we told you about Wednesday in Evansville.
