Mount Vernon, KY – Authorities in Rockcastle County have arrested a 38-year-old man accused of allowing his elderly mother to suffer in horrifying conditions for months inside their home, where emergency responders found her covered in maggots and surrounded by filth.
Disturbing Discovery Inside the Home
According to a criminal complaint obtained by investigators, Jeremy Cook, of Mount Vernon, kept his mother confined to a recliner for nearly two months in what officials described as a trash-filled, rotting home. On October 20, Cook called Rockcastle County EMS claiming his mother was experiencing shortness of breath.
When paramedics arrived, they found the woman sitting in a reclining chair covered with maggots, according to the complaint. Her diaper was filled with feces that appeared to have been soiled for several days. The house was in severe disrepair, with rotting wood, holes in the floor, and piles of garbage scattered throughout.
EMS and Hospital Findings
Paramedics immediately transported the woman to a hospital, where staff noted multiple open wounds and dried bugs all over her body. Medical workers told investigators it appeared the woman had not moved from the chair in roughly two months.
“There were maggots crawling on the chair and on her body,” EMS personnel stated in the report, describing the scene as one of the worst cases of neglect they had encountered.
Hospital staff began treatment for infection and severe neglect, while police opened an investigation into the woman’s care and living conditions.
Caregiver’s Statement to Police
When questioned by authorities, Cook allegedly claimed he had been changing his mother’s diapers three times a day and bathing her twice a week. He told police he started caring for her in August, but investigators said the home’s conditions and the woman’s medical state suggested prolonged neglect.
Officials also noted that the floor of the residence was unsafe due to rot and holes, further complicating efforts to care for the woman properly. The home was later deemed unsanitary and unfit for occupancy.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Police arrested Jeremy Cook on October 31, charging him with knowingly abusing or neglecting an adult, a serious offense under Kentucky law. He was initially held on a $50,000 bond before being released pending his next court appearance.
Authorities have not yet released updates on the mother’s current medical condition, though hospital staff indicated she was receiving ongoing treatment for multiple wounds and infection-related complications.
Elder Neglect in Kentucky
Cases like this highlight the urgent need for adult protective services and community awareness regarding elder abuse and neglect. In Kentucky, it is a felony to intentionally or knowingly neglect a dependent adult, and caregivers can face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Officials urge residents to report suspected abuse or neglect to the Kentucky Adult Protective Services hotline at (877) 597-2331 or through local law enforcement.
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