ROGERSVILLE — A Hawkins County man and his girlfriend have been charged with a felony charge related to the state’s elder abuse statute for allegedly beating and neglecting a paralyzed woman who was under their care.
Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office Detective John Parsons responded to the Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Monday where he met 46-year-old Jacqueline Albright who was being treated for multiple bruises, scratches and infections.
Albright has been the subject of an abuse investigation initiated around Aug. 1 by Tennessee Department of Human Services case worker Pam Arnold.
HCSO Detective Lt. Eve Jackson said Tuesday that Arnold had brought the sheriff’s office into the investigation, but each time Albright was asked about her injuries she denied any assault.
Arnold made a surprise home visit to Albright’s residence Monday and observed Albright to have fresh injuries, at which time an ambulance was called to transport Albright tot he HCMH emergency room.
Albright suffered a stroke when she was 26 years old and is paralyzed from the waist down. She also has limited mobility of her arms.
Since suffering her stroke Albright has been cared for by Janet Walters at 4031 Goshen Valley Road near Rogersville.
Jackson said that this past March or April Walters became to ill to care for herself or Albright, at which time Walters’ son and girlfriend moved in.
Investigators suspected that the son Johnny Walters, 34; and his girlfriend Casey Marie Kuhlman, 25, were responsible for the injuries.
When asked about her injuries, however, Albright denied being assaulted, and Walters and Kuhlman allegedly stated Albright “falls a lot.”
“The injuries are not consistent with their story,” Jackson said. “Multiple bruising and multiple broken ribs. Bruises and scratches all over her body. And not only is she being physically abused, but she’s being neglected.”
At the hospital Monday, however, Parsons reported observing injuries that aren’t consistent with a fall included bruises on her face including a large bruise on her left temple.
“There were also scratches to her nose forehead and neck,” Parsons said. “I observed many bruises, both old and new, to Jacqueline Albright’s body. Bruises were on both arms, both legs, her stomach, and all over her back. There was also what appeared to be a hand print on Jacqueline Albright’s left rib cage and back area.”
Investigators later discovered that Albright suffered multiple rib fractures.
Both of Albright’s ears were infected due to lack of cleaning.
When asked by Parsons what happened, Albright initially responded, “No Comment.”
Parsons then stated she needed to tell him who hurt her so he could protect her.
“She then stated she was told to say ‘no’ if asked if anyone hurt her,” Parsons said. “I asked her who told her to say that and she said, ‘Casey and Johnny’. Jacqueline also stated, ‘Casey pushed me. Casey smacked me. Johnny pushed me. Johnny smacked me’.”
Walters and Kuhlman have each been charged with one count each of domestic assault and physical abuse or gross negligence.
Physical abuse or gross negligence is a Class C felony punishable by 3-6 years in prison.
The couple remained held in the Hawkins County Jail Tuesday on $10,000 bond each. Kuhlman is scheduled for arraignment Aug. 27 and Walters for arraignment on Aug. 29.
Albright is prescribed narcotic medication, but when her blood was tested Monday the drugs were not present in her system.
Jackson said Walters and Kuhlman was suspected of taking that medication, and additional charges are pending.
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Caretaker couple accused of beating, neglecting paralyzed Hawkins County woman
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