Hialeah, FL – A 49-year-old Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly locking her elderly mother, who suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, inside a bedroom and refusing to clean her after she soiled herself. Police say the suspect, Janet Edwards, told her own children that her 77-year-old mother “was going to learn” after repeatedly defecating on herself.
The Incident: Elderly Woman Found in Disturbing Conditions
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by police, officers responded to a home in Hialeah, Florida, after receiving reports of possible elder abuse. When Edwards’ adult son visited the residence in May 2025, he reportedly discovered his grandmother locked inside her bedroom, wearing soiled Pampers and covered in feces.
“He saw her in Pampers with feces in both of her hands,” the affidavit states.
When the son demanded that his mother clean up the elderly woman, Edwards allegedly refused, telling him that her mother needed to “learn” her lesson. Police noted that the bedroom door had been locked from the outside, leaving the victim trapped inside without electricity or proper care.
“She’s going to learn because she is always doing this,” Edwards allegedly told her son.
The affidavit further states that Edwards admitted to witnessing her mother five times with feces in her hands and consuming it, but failed to intervene or provide assistance.
Investigation and Evidence Collected
The investigation began after multiple complaints were made by Edwards’ adult children, who accused her of repeated neglect and physical abuse of their grandmother. Police say the 49-year-old’s adult daughter also contacted authorities in August and September 2025, providing text messages and photos showing the victim holding feces.
One of the messages allegedly sent by Edwards read that her mother “smelled s—” and that she was “going back to bed.”
The affidavit notes that Edwards lives alone with the victim and is her only caregiver. During questioning, she told detectives that her mother “does not recognize anyone anymore” due to dementia and Alzheimer’s, and that her behavior had caused her “frustration.”
When asked why she failed to clean her mother or call for medical help, Edwards replied that it was because she was “upset or frustrated.”
“The defendant said she lives at the home with just the victim and she is the only caregiver,” police wrote in the report. “She said she did not clean her mother because she was upset or frustrated.”
Court Proceedings and Charges Filed
Janet Edwards was arrested and charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled adult and battery on a person 65 or older, both serious offenses under Florida law.
Authorities confirmed that Edwards was taken into custody and booked at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She was later released on bond and has been ordered to stay away from her mother until her next court hearing, scheduled for December 19, 2025.
Police also revealed that Edwards’ son had been removed from her custody years earlier due to prior child abuse allegations, leading the Department of Children and Families to grant custody to his paternal grandparents.
Family and Community Reaction
Family members expressed deep concern for the elderly woman’s condition, stating that they repeatedly tried to get her help. The Cuyahoga County Department of Elder Affairs is reportedly reviewing the case to determine if the victim requires long-term care placement or supervised guardianship.
Neighbors in the Hialeah community said they were “shocked and heartbroken” to learn about the allegations. One nearby resident told reporters, “It’s horrifying to think someone could treat their own mother that way. She clearly needed medical help, not punishment.”
Background and Context
Elder abuse cases have been rising across Florida in recent years, particularly among family caregivers struggling with burnout. Experts say dementia-related behaviors, such as incontinence or confusion, can be overwhelming without professional support.
According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, more than 20% of elder abuse cases involve caregiver neglect, often by relatives who are ill-equipped or emotionally unprepared to handle the responsibility. The agency urges family members to seek assistance before abuse escalates.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Edwards remains under a court-issued restraining order and is prohibited from contacting her mother. The State Attorney’s Office confirmed that investigators will continue reviewing the evidence, including text messages and witness statements, ahead of her December court appearance.
The 77-year-old victim has since been placed under medical supervision, and officials say she is now in a safe environment receiving the care she needs.
Conclusion
The disturbing case highlights the dangers of caregiver burnout and the importance of monitoring the well-being of elderly relatives. As the legal process moves forward, authorities say their primary goal is ensuring that the victim remains safe and protected from further neglect.
What are your thoughts on this case? Should penalties for elder neglect be stricter? Share your opinions in the comments below.
