A carer in Florida has been arrested and charged with the serious neglect of an elderly, disabled woman after allegedly abandoning her in a public park overnight, according to local police authorities.
Details of the Alleged Abandonment
Teresa Baldwin, a 58-year-old from Largo, Florida, is the legal carer for the 69-year-old victim. The incident occurred on Monday, when Baldwin is accused of leaving the woman at Largo Central Park, located just south of Clearwater Beach, at approximately 3 pm.
The vulnerable woman was not discovered until the following morning. Park staff found her lying on the ground, soiled and still wearing a dirty nappy. She had been deprived of her essential medication and was left without her walker or mobile phone, rendering her completely unable to seek help or move to safety.
Arrest and Additional Drug Charges
Police arrested Baldwin on Friday. During the arrest, officers made a further disturbing discovery. Baldwin was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and a metal pipe used as drug paraphernalia.
As a result, she now faces charges not only for neglecting an elderly person but also for drug possession. An arrest affidavit from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office also revealed that Baldwin was previously accused of neglecting the same woman and is under investigation for potential exploitation.
Legal Consequences for Elderly Neglect
Criminal defence attorney Anthony Rickman, who is not involved in this specific case, provided context on the severity of such charges. He explained to Fox 13 that Florida law treats the abuse and neglect of elderly and vulnerable adults with the same gravity as crimes against children.
"The state of Florida does treat these cases very seriously," Rickman stated. "Prosecution of these cases does often result in large sentences if individuals are convicted." This highlights the potential for a significant prison term should Baldwin be found guilty.
The Independent has reached out to both the Largo police department and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for further comment and details on the ongoing investigation.
