A woman in Tennessee was arrested after she allegedly neglected her diabetic 74-year-old father while serving as his caregiver. She’s been accused of refusing to give him his diabetes medication, as well as neglecting him to the point that his bones were exposed.
Misty McDaniel was arrested in Knox County on Saturday, January 17, and was charged with aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult resulting in serious bodily injury, according to online records viewed by Us Weekly.
Court documents stated that McDaniel’s father became bed-bound after he suffered a stroke nearly a decade ago, according to WATE. His condition has worsened over the past six months as McDaniel had allegedly started to neglect him.
The father — whose name has not been publicly revealed — was taken to the hospital on Friday, January 2. After he was assessed by medical staff, it was determined that he had a blood sugar level of more than 600. A normal blood sugar for a non-diabetic person is typically below 100, and his blood sugar was high enough to potentially lead to a diabetic coma.
As medical staff examined his body, they found pressure ulcers and bed sores on his lower back and other areas. The dad was then admitted to a critical care unit, where multiple surgeries were performed to remove necrotic tissue from his wounds. Additionally, court documents stated that he underwent other medical treatments related to the alleged neglect.
McDaniel, 42, was given the task of being her father’s caregiver, though she chose to not take him to a doctor despite him having diabetes and other medical conditions. According to WVLT, McDaniel’s husband was also deemed as the man’s caregiver.
Police said that McDaniel’s dad was behind on his diabetes medication when he finally visited the hospital. Additionally, his muscles were exposed due to the “extensive” bed sores and ulcers, per WVLT. In fact, the bed sores on his lower back were so bad that three of his vertebrae were visible.
After authorities learned about the extent of the father’s condition, they reported to the home that McDaniel lives at with her father and husband and found a supply of blood sugar medication that was never given to the dad.
While speaking to authorities, McDaniel reportedly admitted that she had not taken her father to the doctor in more than six months and said she had not checked his blood sugar levels on a daily basis despite his diabetes diagnosis, according to WATE.
Additionally, she shared that she had been the victim’s caregiver since before 2018. McDaniel added that she had no medical services or nurses coming to the home to take care of her father.
McDaniel’s bond hearing took place on Tuesday, January 21, and a judge set hers at $10,000, according to online records viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping. She is next scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, March 3.
It is not currently clear if McDaniel has entered a plea or retained legal representation.
The Knox County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Luxury Handbag Shopping’s request for comment.
