'Teach them a lesson': Woman left incapacitated family members covered in their own waste as 'punishment,' police say

by Jerry Lambe

A 51-year-old woman in Indiana is accused of forcing her elderly father and developmentally delayed brother to live in "overwhelming" squalor, allegedly leaving the victims covered in their own waste because she wanted to "teach them a lesson" about hygiene.

Kathryn Ann Payton, of Evansville, is charged with two counts of neglect of a dependent. Following her arrest and booking, Payton posted bond and has since been released from detention, court records show.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, the harrowing conditions inside the apartment were only discovered after a pest control company attempted to conduct a routine quarterly treatment on May 1. When the technician encountered a resident who appeared unwell and was physically covered in waste, the apartment complex manager contacted police for a welfare check.

Upon arrival, responding officers encountered a scene described as "overwhelming to the point that it caused nausea." Inside the residence, police located Payton's father, a "medically frail" man suffering from cognitive decline, and her brother, who is developmentally delayed and suffers from multiple physical ailments.

Both men were reportedly found "covered in urine and feces" with clothing and bedding that was "extremely soiled." Investigators noted that feces — consistent with both human and animal waste — was found on the floors, on the furniture where the men sat, and even on a pillow where the father slept.

Medical personnel who arrived on the scene documented a severe lack of care that had persisted for an extended period. One of the men was found in a recliner with a "labored, hacking cough" and clothing soaked in waste "down to the knees," and he appeared to have remained in that state for several days. His oxygen levels were recorded at a dangerously low 87%.

The other man, located in a back bedroom, was unable to stand without assistance and was found with "open sores on his body" and a "rattling cough."

When questioned by authorities, Payton identified herself as the primary caregiver for both men. She initially claimed she did not know why they had not cleaned themselves and stated she had checked on them earlier in the day. However, her narrative reportedly shifted as she admitted she was fully aware of the unsanitary conditions and the fact that the men were living in their own waste.

Payton allegedly told investigators that because the two men would not clean themselves, she "showed them" by removing their television and Amazon Fire Stick so they could not watch TV. She further admitted to not helping in order to "teach them a lesson," according to statements provided by emergency medical technicians included in the affidavit.

The neglect reportedly extended to their basic medical needs as well. Despite the rattling cough and weakened state of her brother, Payton allegedly told police that he had been sick for approximately a week but had not been taken to a doctor. She reportedly told investigators that if he chose not to go to a physician, "he would just sit with it."

The investigation also apparently revealed a stark disparity in living conditions. While Payton's father and brother were confined to the filth of the apartment, authorities discovered that Payton was residing in a separate home in the 600 block of Kingswood Drive —a residence actually owned by her father. The apartment manager also informed police they were unaware the brother was even residing in the Lincoln Avenue unit.

Based on the observations at the scene, investigators determined that both men lacked the "mental or physical ability to care for themselves," rendering Payton's "punishment" of the cognitively impaired men both ineffective and dangerous. The affidavit concludes that Payton "knowingly allowed both individuals to remain in a condition where they were covered in feces and urine for an extended period of time," creating an "imminent danger to their life and well-being."

Both victims were transported to Deaconess Gateway Hospital for emergency medical treatment and stabilization. Doctors subsequently admitted both men for further care due to their "medically compromised" states.

Payton's next court appearance has not yet been finalized. The investigation into the extent of the neglect remains ongoing. 

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'Teach them a lesson': Woman left incapacitated family members covered in their own waste as 'punishment,' police say 

Indiana Woman Allegedly Kept Ailing Husband in Squalid Bedroom For Two Years, Withheld Medication

Darlene K. Dickinson

An Indiana woman allegedly kept her disabled husband prisoner in a squalid bedroom for two years, starving him and withholding his medication, PEOPLE confirms.

On Tuesday, Darlene K. Dickinson, 69, was charged with neglect of a dependent after authorities discovered her husband, Hugh Dickinson, living in "horrible" conditions, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

"There was trash and feces all over the floor and all over the furniture," the court documents state. "Including the bed that Hugh sleeps in."

Hugh, 71, was found wearing a dirty shirt and a soiled adult diaper. He appeared to weigh only 90 pounds, the documents state.

According to court documents, Hugh told authorities he had a stroke in 2000 that affected his speech. Three years ago, he had a sore on his leg that Darlene allegedly refused to clean. After about two months, Darlene allegedly finally took him to a hospital, where they amputated his leg, according to the court records.

He was allegedly kept in the room ever since, during which time Darlene allegedly refused to give him his medication, the records state. He said he allegedly only left the room once during those two years.

Neighbor Comes to the Rescue

"She's an evil, evil woman," Lisa Tiedemann, the Dickinsons' neighbor who allegedly rescued Hugh, tells PEOPLE. "You know, I'm glad they arrested her but I feel so sad for her, because what makes a person do this? I don’t get it. I don’t get it."

Tiedemann used to clean the couple's Greenwood, Indiana, home after Darlene told her she was going through chemotherapy for stage 4-breast cancer and needed help around the house.

"I was never allowed to go back toward that part of the house," Tiedemann says, adding that Darlene allegedly said her husband slept all day. "The more I questioned, the more lies she told." 

When she finally saw Hugh, Tiedemann tells PEOPLE, "He was pitiful. You could tell she had just straightened him up just enough for me."

That day, Tiedemann remembers the whole house full of flies, maggots and a stench so strong she felt sick. She alleges Darlene would keep a towel under the bedroom door to make sure the rest of the house didn't smell.

Months later, on May 19, Tiedemann knocked on Hugh's window while Darlene was getting radiation and told him she was calling authorities.

When authorities arrived, Hugh allegedly told police Darlene fed him only one meal from Meals on Wheels a day, with a warm Pepsi to drink, court documents state.

He told police, "She shut me out," adding he allegedly had to sleep under his sheets to keep flies off him.

"You would never think that she was capable of something like this," Tiedemann tells PEOPLE, adding that the couple's children did not see their parents often and didn't know about their father's living conditions.

Hugh is currently staying with his son, Tiedemann says, and enjoys watching football.

"He's doing awesome," she says. "I saw him two weeks ago and he said I was his hero but I'm not. I tell him, 'I'm your friend and I would do it again' – I would do it for anybody."

Dickinson is being held on a $2,400 bond and it is unclear at this time whether she has an attorney or not, court officials tell PEOPLE.

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Indiana Woman Allegedly Kept Ailing Husband in Squalid Bedroom For Two Years, Withheld Medication