AARP Alabama urges community response to elderly abuse after Elkmont man allegedly beats parents

By Noah Cowell

ELKMONT, Ala. (WAFF) - AARP Alabama asks the local community to help prevent elder abuse after a man brutally assaulted his parents in Elkmont.

Charlie Cain Jr., 55, was charged with two counts of elder abuse after allegedly beating his parents in Elkmont last Tuesday.

Other charges include domestic violence and violating his parents' protection order they filed in May after claiming he threatened them.

Witnesses say Cain — who has a history of drug problems — became irritated on Tuesday when his parents would not take him to a local pharmacy.

Cain then yanked his mother to the ground and broke her jaw, while also striking his father in the face.

The good Samaritan who reported the assault says she never expected Cain to be capable of an attack this severe. She says she’s seen his parents repeatedly give their son more chances after his other times in prison, but he just continues to hurt them.

According to court records, Cain was charged with domestic violence and harassment two years ago after beating his parents across the face with his cell phone.

AARP works to raise awareness of these types of elder abuse cases and how to stop them. Jamie Harding of AARP Alabama urges everyone to keep an eye on their older friends and neighbors.

“These are some of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors and relatives, and we all have a responsibility to help protect them as much as possible,” Harding said.

She says signs of abuse can range from victims having an unkempt or abnormally messy appearance to having bruises.

Harding also says what Cain is accused of doing is horrifying, adding elder abuse often goes unreported because seniors are often hurt by close family members.

“Understand that that person is probably not going to admit that their family member is abusing them, so that’s why somebody else has to step in and help them,” Harding said. “No one wants to throw their family member into jail.” 

Harding also urges witnesses of elder abuse to reach out to the Department of Human Resources on their adult abuse and exploitation hotline.

The good Samaritan hopes Cain doesn‘t get out of jail anytime soon so his parents can stay out of harm’s way.

The Limestone County Sheriff‘s Office currently has no updates regarding Cain’s case.

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AARP Alabama urges community response to elderly abuse after Elkmont man allegedly beats parents