A caregiver in Florida was arrested after she moved out of the state and allegedly left her 81-year-old dementia affected person to sleep exterior in a tent.
Karie Lynn Lightfoot was arrested and charged with elder neglect following the incident.
Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace responded to a house in Ocala after investigators with the Division of Youngsters and Households discovered the lady exterior on June 3, in accordance with an arrest warrant considered by Us.
The lady reportedly has dementia and mobility points. Whereas chatting with authorities, she stated that Lightfoot, 53, was her caregiver and that she positioned her within the tent exterior of her residence.
Lightfoot allegedly left the sufferer with restricted meals and water, and she or he was unable to get into the house as a result of the tent was positioned too distant from the residence. A mattress and a few small home equipment had been reportedly included within the tent, however there was not a lot else for the sufferer to outlive with.
The arrest warrant said that Lightfoot gave the sufferer grownup diapers regardless of the sufferer being unable to alter them herself. Authorities added that the sufferer was allegedly dwelling within the tent for a couple of week earlier than she was discovered.

The sufferer’s son, who was in another country for work on the time of the incident, reportedly instructed authorities that Lightfoot had been caring for his mom for about two years. He added that she left when she determined she not needed to take care of the lady.
After Lightfoot determined to depart the job, she allegedly moved to Texas and compelled the sufferer to remain contained in the tent. She additionally allegedly by no means made an effort to seek out another person to handle the sufferer.
The sufferer suffered a fall after Lightfoot left her, and she or he was taken to a hospital for remedy. Her present situation has not been shared.
The sufferer was anticipated to maneuver to a nursing residence as soon as she was discharged from the hospital, per the warrant.
Lightfoot was arrested on Saturday, July 11, and was taken to the Marion County Jail. She has since been launched after she posted a $2,000 bond.
It isn’t at the moment clear if Lightfoot has entered a plea or retained authorized counsel following her arrest. The Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace had not further updates to share when contacted by Us in regards to the case.
In case you are experiencing elder abuse or suspect somebody you already know is, you may name the Eldercare Locator at (800) 677-1116 and converse to a specifically skilled operator who can refer you to an area company that may assist. The Eldercare Locator accepts calls Monday by way of Friday, between 9 a.m. and eight p.m. Jap Time.




