National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse

Saturday, October 25, 2025

28-year-old Chesterfield man weighed 65 pounds when he died, police say; mother charged with abuse, neglect

By: Brendan King

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — A criminal complaint obtained by CBS 6 revealed new details about the case against 60-year-old Manisha Nath, a Chesterfield mother charged with abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in a death.

Detectives in protective gear were seen gathering evidence from a home in the 14400 block of Woods Walk Lane in the Woodlake neighborhood Thursday afternoon.

About 24 hours earlier, Chesterfield Fire and EMS responded to a 911 call of a cardiac arrest at the home Wednesday, October 22. Manisha’s son, Somak Nath, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said it was the Medical Examiner who alerted officers that they believed the death was criminal.

The complaint said the 28-year-old victim was nonverbal autistic and could not care for himself. The detective wrote that Somak was found in the driveway following the 911 call.

“Somak was reported to be only 65 lbs indicating possible [mal]nourishment, missing most of his top teeth, and his bottom teeth were rotted,” the detective wrote. “Somak also had grime over most of his body indicating he had not bathed in some time and sores on his back.”

A search warrant of the home found “little to no food in the kitchen, and an excessive amount of black mold in the residence. There was also a lack of running water and Manisha told police she would just give Somak a bucket of water and mug to bathe himself.”

There were no working toilets either, the complaint said.

The detective wrote they talked to family members who said Manisha was Somak’s caregiver and neighbors reported only seeing the victim twice over the last year.

“Mom was asked by police if Somak could live on his own in an apartment or house and she said no,” according to the document.

Nath was arrested Thursday and was being held in jail without bond.

The mother appeared for a first appearance hearing at Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Friday morning. Officials say additional charges may be forthcoming.

She is scheduled back in court on November 25.

Court documents showed Nath has spent 17 years in the community, was looking for work, and had earned her PhD in biochemistry.

CBS 6's Wayne Covil spoke with neighbors who knew the family on Friday.

Despite the issues, those who saw the young Chesterfield man grow up believed he was happy.

"He would like to come out and sit in the car and he would occasionally, you would see him in the driveway sitting in the car. Or sitting on the porch and rocking and humming and seemed content," one neighbor said.

For those who knew the pair, they say what has happened is almost beyond comprehension.

"My heart breaks for her as well, because clearly Manisha needs help, she didn't get it," they said.

If you have information about this incident, contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or through the P3 app.

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28-year-old Chesterfield man weighed 65 pounds when he died, police say; mother charged with abuse, neglect

Busted California Retail Theft and Fraud Ring Targeted the Elderly in $1M+ Scam

California authorities arrested several suspects in conjunction with a retail theft and fraud ring targeting the elderly and others in their more than $1 million scam, according to a press release issued this week by Santa Clara County.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office High Impact Team dismantled the organized retail theft and fraud enterprise responsible for trafficking in millions of dollars’ worth of stolen goods — and exploiting elderly victims across the country to do it.

The investigation began in June 2025, when detectives started tracking retail thefts. They uncovered a highly sophisticated criminal network operating across the Bay Area and beyond.

The suspects allegedly acquired the merchandise through a widespread gift card scam. Three of the suspects operated online marketplaces, shipping products to buyers across the country.

“This case is one of the most significant takedowns of organized retail crime we’ve seen in Santa Clara County,” said Sheriff Robert Jonsen. “It shows what’s possible when skilled investigators, strong partnerships, and targeted resources come together to protect our communities.”

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, search warrants were executed at homes, storage units, and a warehouse in San Jose and Campbell. The locations were allegedly used as storage, drop-off, and distribution centers for the stolen merchandise.

Investigators recovered more than a dozen box truckloads of The Home Depot merchandise at one location.

The estimated value of the fraudulently obtained items exceeds $1 million, though a full inventory is ongoing, authorities said.

Additionally, nearly 100 totes filled with bottles of wine were recovered and returned to Target, many of which were believed to have been stolen.

Retail theft wasn’t the only crime being committed, according to investigators.

Detectives uncovered a nationwide fraud scheme targeting hundreds of victims – many elderly – through online and phone scams.

Victims were coerced into purchasing high-value gift cards, often from The Home Depot and Lowe’s, and providing the card information to scammers. The gift cards were then used by suspects to purchase thousands of dollars in merchandise daily.

Investigators estimate that more than $10,000 in fraudulent gift card purchases occurred each day at Bay Area retail locations for several months.

“Gift card fraud is a major driver of organized retail crime, and our work to stop it goes far beyond protecting our bottom line,” said Scott Glenn, vice president of Asset Protection at The Home Depot. “We’re proud to play a role in the nationwide effort to combat organized retail crime and grateful for the partnership and dedication of Santa Clara County law enforcement in investigating these cases and holding offenders accountable.”

Suspects were booked on charges of organized retail theft, financial elder abuse, theft by false pretenses, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy.

Retailers, including The Home Depot, Target, Lowe’s, and Sprouts, are working to inventory the recovered property, with much of it expected to be returned.

This marks the largest recovery of stolen goods since the task force was formed in 2024, authorities said.

“This is exactly why the High Impact Team exists,” Sheriff Jonsen said. “With the support of state grant funding, we’re not just recovering stolen goods — we’re protecting the vulnerable and restoring safety in our communities.”

The coordinated operation was made possible through a State of California grant aimed at combating organized retail theft. The High Impact Team includes members of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with allied agencies and retail partners.

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Busted California Retail Theft and Fraud Ring Targeted the Elderly in $1M+ Scam

Hialeah Woman Charged with Neglect and Battery of Elderly Mother, Daughter Provides Key Evidence

By Carlos Mendez

A Hialeah woman has been charged with the neglect and battery of her 77-year-old mother, according to authorities. Janet Edwards, 49, faced the legal system after her own daughter provided evidence to the police documenting the elder woman's mistreatment, NBC Miami reported.

Documents indicate that Edwards neglected her mother's basic care needs, allegedly leaving her in unsanitary conditions. The victim, found with feces on her hands and in a powerless, locked room within their shared residence, was later hospitalized for medical observation. Edwards' daughter, who testified against her mother, claimed she had photos of her grandmother in this deplorable state and had seen Edwards slap her, a statement corroborated by a second witness, as per Local 10.com's coverage.

Edwards was arrested and charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled adult with no harm and battery on a person 65 or older. The arrest report reveals that Edwards acknowledged her mother's behavior on several occasions but expressed frustration rather than concern. In one instance, after being advised to clean her mother, she replied, "No, she's going to learn because she is always doing this," according to NBC Miami.

Additionally, the granddaughter provided text messages to the police wherein Edwards displayed negligence, one message stating, "she smelled s--- and was going back to bed." During questioning, Edwards admitted to being aware of her mother's actions but denied any physical abuse. Despite her denial, she was taken to Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where she was held, with bond conditions pending as detailed by Local 10.com.

The court mandated that Edwards avoid contact with her mother and allowed her pre-trial release on an alternate bond of $3,500, as NBC Miami's report details.

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Hialeah Woman Charged with Neglect and Battery of Elderly Mother, Daughter Provides Key Evidence

Friday, October 24, 2025

Man faces multiple charges for allegedly beating his parents at Belmont home

by Jon Schoenheider

BELMONT, N.H. — A Belmont man is accused of kidnapping his parents, tying them up and beating them for half a day.

According to court documents, a 911 call came in around 5:30 a.m. Oct. 15 from an 82-year-old man, who said he and his wife, 77, had fallen down the stairs at their house on Cotton Hill Road.

Police said the couple's 42-year-old son, Nathaniel Kay, was arrested at the scene.

The father told authorities Kay beat both of them for 12 hours, including kicks and punches to the head and upper body. He said Kay tied them with a clothesline, took them to the garage, and continued the assault before dragging them back into the house.

Kay allegedly allowed them to call paramedics only if they pretended to have fallen down the stairs.

"It's definitely different," Belmont Police Chief Stephen Akerstom said. "Usually, we'll respond to incidents like this, it's, you know, something has recently happened. Not over the course of 12 hours. That's really the difference here with this case."

Both parents were hospitalized. The mother was treated for a brain bleed, and the father suffered a broken nose and ribs. Police said he has since been released.

The New Hampshire Commission on Aging said staying in touch with neighbors helps prevent dangerous situations.

"It's a very challenging area because we also want to be aware that we don't want to make an assumption just because of someone's age that they are fragile," said Lily Wellington, executive director of the commission.

She added that anyone who suspects elder abuse should contact Adult Protective Services.

"Anytime someone suspects abuse or neglect, calling Adult Protective Services is the appropriate intervention. And those are the folks that have been doing this, and are the experts in what classifies as abuse or neglect," Wellington said.

Kay is charged with kidnapping, second-degree assault, criminal restraint, and simple assault. He is being held on preventive detention.

No court date has been scheduled for his next appearance.

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Man faces multiple charges for allegedly beating his parents at Belmont home

‘Finish the job’: Man accused of killing his father on Chandler Way says he has no remorse

by: Sangmin Kim

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The 49-year-old man charged with murder in the death of his own father in south Bakersfield last week had a history of assaulting and making threats against his father, authorities said in a court document.

On Oct. 13, officers responded to the 6100 block of Chandler Way regarding a homicide and found Alfred V. Juarez, 71, of Bakersfield in front of the doorway. He was showing signs of rigor mortis and trauma, and he was pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m., according to the probable cause statement.

Alfred Juarez Jr., 49, was charged with first-degree murder, robbery, cruelty to an elder or dependent adult, carjacking and vehicle theft, according to court records.

Video surveillance in the area captured Juarez exiting his home with Juarez Jr. pursuing him. Juarez Jr. then “violently” threw the security screen door open and punched Juarez in the head, the document said.

According to the document, Juarez Jr. spun the victim around and forcefully removed his keys from his belt before entering the home as the victim grabbed his chest and fell to the ground.

Juarez Jr. took Juarez’s vehicle without permission, Juarez’s wife told officials.

Juarez Jr. was arrested in Los Angeles County on suspicion of murder, elder abuse, robbery and other related charges.

During an interview with investigators, Juarez Jr. said he went to his father’s home to take his vehicle as the father owed him $5,000, according to the report. He then became upset when his father told him to leave and went to the residence to “finish the job.”

Juarez Jr. said his father has suffered numerous heart attacks due to poor health. He also said he had no remorse for killing Juarez, the document said.

Juarez Jr. also has an extensive arrest record, according to investigators.

In 2020, he was arrested in connection with a case involving elder abuse and criminal threats, in which he allegedly assaulted the victim and caused him to suffer a heart attack. Juarez Jr. also allegedly said at the time he would “finish the job.”

In 2014, Juarez Jr. demanded money from Juarez to purchase narcotics and threatened to kill him, causing him to fear for his life, according to the document.

The document also said Juarez Jr. has previously been arrested for charges related to assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, resisting arrest, animal cruelty and child molestation.

Juarez Jr. is being held on no bail. He is due back in court Oct. 27.

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‘Finish the job’: Man accused of killing his father on Chandler Way says he has no remorse

Orangeburg care home owner gets prison for locking up residents

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - An Orangeburg woman has pleaded guilty to elder abuse and sentenced to prison for locking up residents in an unlicensed care home.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Estelle Amelia Hutchinson, 53, pleaded guilty Wednesday in Orangeburg County to one count of neglect of a vulnerable adult, one count of criminal conspiracy, and one count of operating a community residential care home without a license.

Judge Charles McCutchen sentenced her to five years in prison, suspended to three years’ active time in the South Carolina Department of Corrections, followed by three years of probation.

Hutchinson is barred from contact with boarding homes, nursing homes, or any other residential care facility for vulnerable adults.

An investigation revealed that between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15, 2024, Hutchinson ordered residents to be confined in locked rooms and denied them access to basic necessities such as food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision, medical services, and a safe means of exit.

After the ordeal, the residents were immediately taken into emergency protective custody by law enforcement.

Orangeburg firefighters found a malfunctioning natural gas heater was causing a buildup of fumes inside the residence, requiring the immediate evacuation and venting of the residence.

Hutchinson’s co-conspirator, Tracy Timothy Wright, 52, of Orangeburg, was sentenced April 10 to three years in prison and two years of probation after pleading guilty to neglect of a vulnerable adult and criminal conspiracy.

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Orangeburg care home owner gets prison for locking up residents