Live Oak man charged with elderly neglect, exploitation

LIVE OAK — The Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office charged John Stuart Harrelson with exploitation of elderly person or disabled adult and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult on March 24.

According to the report, an investigation by the Florida Department of Children and Families found the victim in the care of Harrelson, 60. The suspect was alleged to be mistreating the victim, using her money for his own personal gain and not the victims as well as leaving the victim home alone in a filthy and unsafe residence, prompting the investigation, the report states.

During DCF’s investigation, it found the victim home alone wearing misfitting clothing that were urine and feces soaked and bleach stained and just one shoe, the report states.

Suwannee County Fire Rescue responded to conduct a medical assessment of the victim and determined she was in need of medical assistance, according to the report. The DCF findings stated that the victim was malnourished looking and had no food in the residence other than a half-eaten waffle which had roaches crawling on it, the report states.

According to the report, live and dead roaches were found throughout the house with animal feces and urine throughout as well.

The DCF investigation found, according to the report, that the suspect failed to provide the victim with adequate food/nutrition, clean and adequate clothing, and medicine and medical services that “a prudent person would consider essential for the wellbeing” of the victim.

The report states that the DCF investigation was provided the victim’s bank statements showing numerous large withdrawals from ATMs from January 2016 to January 2017, which the suspect was allegedly using to benefit himself.

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Live Oak man charged with elderly neglect, exploitation