Written by: E. George
Published November 7, 2023 @ 9:30 PM ET
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – Duluth Police officers arrested 56-year-old Tony Sherman after Buford Housing Authority maintenance employees discovered his 88-year-old disabled mother on October 18, 2023, in such deplorable conditions that responding officers vomited numerous times. They described her as extremely frail and appearing not to have eaten in a substantial period of time.
The maintenance team explained they were repairing the South Street home, which they believed to be uninhabited. They realized someone was inside when they heard a sound from a bedroom and observed movement under the bed covers.
They immediately dialed 911, and the tragic scene forced responding officers to don masks and gloves. The officers found the elderly woman lying in her urine and feces, suffering from bed sores, hunger, and other ailments.
On body-worn camera footage, an officer said, “There’s neglect here. The whole room smells like fecal matter.”
One officer admitted to vomiting three times while at the home. EMS transported the victim to the hospital, where she is recovering after receiving treatment.
Law enforcement contacted the victim’s son, and when he arrived at the scene, he told them, “She said she never ever wanted to go to a nursing home, so I’m doing the best I can.”
He claimed he checked on her every day but admitted to becoming overwhelmed by the daunting task. He said it was difficult to persuade her to eat regularly, and approximately one year had passed since she had last seen a physician.
When the officers inquired about his shared lease with her, he allegedly altered his story about where he resided. Duluth authorities revealed that additional criminal charges may be added in this active investigation.
Sherman was charged with neglect of a disabled/elderly person and remains detained at the jail without bond.
