Multiple People Arrested in Elder Abuse Case

Several neighbors in Boone County are shocked that elder abuse was taking place on their street.

Chief Deputy Chad Barker said the victim, Sylvia Meadows, 88, suffered physical abuse and was also taken advantage of financially by her own children and grandchildren. Neighbors that live on Meadow's street in Madison, said they had reasons to believe their friend, who has dementia, was being abused over the last year. William Meadows, Elizabeth Austin, Regina Meadows, Linda Meadows and Dennis Adkins were all arrested. The charges range from abuse of an incapacitated adult to embezzlement.

"She told me she had been beaten but at the time I didn't know whether the allegations were true or false," Mark Linville, who grew up in the house beside Meadows, said.

Linville said the 88-year-old confided in him about the abuse back in 2013, and he regrets not taking her story more seriously.

"I've seen bruising on her face and contusions and she had told me she had been beaten," Linville said.

Meadows moved from England to West Virginia during World War II be with her late husband, Harry, Linville said. Deputies said the family heirlooms Meadows brought with her were stolen by the very people that were supposed to care for her.

"Taking money from an elderly lady, your grandmother is terrible," Barker said. "Physically abusing your grandmother is terrible."

The chief deputy said family members beat Meadows and left her with bite marks, bruises and a bloodied mouth. He also said they spent $70,000 of her savings, opened 20 credit cards in her name and wiped out her life savings.

"Any aspects of the case that you look in to individually are really horrible we feel," said Barker.
Meadows is now being cared for by the state.

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Deputies Say Multiple People Arrested in Elder Abuse Case