Man charged with multiple counts of elder abuse and neglect in Grand Bay

by Laura Barczewski | Andrea Ramey

Click to Watch Video

GRAND BAY, Ala. (WPMI) —

UPDATE:

49-year old Donny Owens was arrested overnight on multiple charges of elderly abuse and neglect.

DONNY OWENS (MOBILE JAIL) Mobile County Sheriff's Office investigating possible elder abuse in Grand Bay

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office says a resident of an apparent group home in Grand Bay flagged down a driver Tuesday night saying he needed help.

The driver called 911 around 7 p.m. Responding deputies found two seniors who had been left on the floor of the Lakeview Lane Extension home.

Of the six elderly residents that live there, three were immediately taken to the hospital and were in dire need of medical care. The other three were taken to the hospital just before 10 p.m.

Investigators say all of the residents are elderly veterans and they believe this is some type of unlicensed group home.

Officials say the residents claim they haven’t seen any staff or had any assistance in about a week. The residents were unable to take care of themselves because they had no access to a telephone, and food and liquids were locked inside cabinets.

MCSO says the conditions these residents were living in were disgusting.

"It’s sickening that anyone would treat an elderly person in this manner, especially a veteran who served our country. And this is the way they’re treated simply for money," Captain Paul Burch with MCSO said.

Officials say one of the owners of the home, 49-year-old Donny Owens, who was on the scene being interviewed, is now being charged with one count of First Degree Elderly Abuse and five counts of Second Degree Elderly Abuse. Owens was taken into police custody.

Investigators say they are currently in the process of obtaining a search warrant for the home and believe there are several other homes like it. The conditions of the other homes are unknown.

The investigation is ongoing.

(WPMI) Mobile County Sheriff's Office investigating possible elder abuse in Grand Bay

Full Article & Source:
Man charged with multiple counts of elder abuse and neglect in Grand Bay