Charlotte County man accused of elder abuse after 911 call

by Madison Monroe Adams

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —  An affidavit from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said William Hartin was arrested after he was accused of elder abuse following a call to 911 Tuesday night, where he was reportedly crying hysterically and asking for resources to help care for his 92-year-old mother with dementia.

An affidavit said Hartin told the operator that caring for his mother was too much and that he needed help or he would reportedly put her on the street, leaving her homeless.

Charlotte County deputies arrived at his home at Maple Leaf Golf and Country Club on Kings Highway and found the older woman outside in a wheelchair. It was less than 50 degrees, and she was cold. The woman told deputies she was freezing and began to cry.

Sarah Gualco from the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida emphasized the importance of avoiding burnout and stress to prevent cases of elder abuse.

"We want to avoid burnout. We want to avoid stress and ultimately prevent cases of elder abuse," Gualco said.

She noted that over 80% of the calls they receive are from individuals seeking funded long-term care services.

"I would say over 80% of calls we receive are individuals looking for funded long-term care services," Gualco said.

She added that their help is free and available through a hotline. HELPLINE: 866-413-5337

"We can do what is available to help, create, basically, a safety net for this family so that, you know, it doesn't result in a crisis or tragedy like this," Gualco said.

Gualco explained that the agency acts as a coordinated entry for state and federal services, including long-term care services available through funded programs.

"We're kind of like coordinated entry for some state and federal services, long-term care services that are available through funded programs," she said.

She stressed the importance of knowing about their services before a crisis occurs.

"The message we try to push out is know us before you need us. Because often when individuals are in the midst of crisis, and they reach out, we might not be able to respond as immediately as a crisis would require," Gualco said. 

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Charlotte County man accused of elder abuse after 911 call