[ad_1]
A Florida woman who took care of her disabled adult grandson on weekends faces second-degree murder charges after telling the police that she had given him a fatal overdose, fearing who would take care of him when he died, the authorities said.
Police responded to a call Sunday afternoon in Bradenton, Florida, about 40 km south of Tampa, and found the grandson, Joel Parks, who died on the scene, said Tuesday Captain Brian Thiers of the Bradenton Police Department at a press conference. Mr. Parks was discovered by a sister.
Parks, 30, has lived with his grandmother and part-time caretaker, 87-year-old Lillian Parks, at the weekend and in a group home during the week, said Captain Thiers. Mr. Parks was unable to take care of himself, but details of his exact state of health were not known, he added.
After the authorities arrived, Ms. Parks made "several disturbing remarks, spontaneous remarks," including the fact that she had "voluntarily overdosed" her grandson, said Captain Thiers.
"She was worried about her condition and wondered who would take care of him in case of death," he added. Mr. Parks' father is dead and his mother is separated, said Captain Thiers.
Mrs. Parks has been placed in pre-trial detention for assessment, police said.
Captain Thiers said on Wednesday that a judge had signed a warrant arresting Ms. Parks for second degree murder.
"As soon as she is released from medical care, we will detain her under these charges," said Captain Thiers.
He pointed out that the investigation was continuing and that it was still unclear how Ms. Parks had given her grandson the fatal overdose or what substance that she had used.
"It depends largely on the autopsy and the toxicology report to determine the real cause of death," said Captain Thiers. "For the moment, we are just scorning his statements."
There was no sign of physical trauma or evidence of a violent death, he said.
"This is a difficult case for detectives," said Captain Thiers at the press conference. "In part, we feel bad for a person who feels that the only option is to take the life of another human being because she is so worried about her care after she leaves."
Cases like this happen with some regularity, Peter Berns, chief executive of The Arc, a national advocacy organization for people with intellectual and intellectual disabilities, said Wednesday.
"We hear too often about parents or caregivers who kill family members with disabilities or the people they care for," he said. "It is tragic that this happens with the frequency with which this happens. It's a horrible crime. And like most murders, nothing justifies it. "
Mr. Berns mentioned the Day of Mourning for Persons with Disabilities, a website that lists people with disabilities who have been murdered by family members or caregivers. The site has reported 64 deaths so far in 2019.
Berns suggested that estimates of these murders were generally low. "Many of these cases are never identified as murder," he said. "It happens too often."
He said that he thought that this case should be pursued within the limits of the law. "Even if the person was not receiving services, murder is not the answer," he said.
"There are so many family situations in which parents or other family members are concerned about their loved ones with disabilities. They never think of killing them. "
[ad_2]
Source link