Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Elderly woman found on couch covered in mold and feces, caretaker charged with neglect

by Skyler Shepard

Bari Sklar faces charges of abuse of an elderly person, resisting an officer without violence and animal cruelty. (St. Lucie Sheriff's Office)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Family Medicine Specialist from New York was arrested on charges of elder abuse and animal cruelty in Fort Pierce.

Dr. Bari Sklar, 57, was arrested after a deputy responded to a call on May 27 over concerns of dead animals and a neglected elderly woman inside the home.

Outside the property, the deputy immediately noted the smell of urine and saw feces through the window. According to the arrest report, Sklar first denied the officer entry but after speaking to the elderly victim, Sklar allowed the deputy inside.

The deputy said the smell was so overwhelming he could hardly breathe—gagging at the odor. Inspecting the home, the walls and floors were covered with animal hair, insects, mold and feces, the sheriff's office said.

The deputy spoke to the elderly woman and noticed the severe state of neglect she was in. She was in clothes covered in feces, sitting on a couch surrounded by trash and mold, the sheriff's office said. The animals inside the home were also neglected—their fur being matted and their food covered in mold.

The sheriff's office said the house was found to be uninhabitable—with no power or running water. The elderly woman was removed from the home and taken to Tradition Hospital. Animal Control was also contacted and removed the 11 cats and one dog from the residence and taken to the vet for further evaluation.

Sklar was arrested and her bond was set at $3,000. She was set to appear in court Monday morning, but the hearing was canceled.

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