Two Indianapolis women are in jail after being accused of neglecting a mentally challenged man.
According to court records, the man who owns a residence on Villa Avenue called police out of worry for the victim’s safety. The landlord told authorities that he suspected the thieves were just caring for the victim to steal his fortune.
Police were called to the home in mid-December and returned this week to arrest the two suspects. IMPD said they discovered a man living in unsanitary conditions.
The victim was trapped in a bedroom with a length of rope barring the door from opening. According to police, the victim used bottles to go to the bathroom and was only permitted to shower once or twice every month.
According to court documents, the victim’s room ceiling had huge gaps with insulation pouring down and cold air blowing in from the outside.
Cheyenne Wilson, 37, and Felecia Beardsley, 39, were both arrested for neglect of a dependent after allegedly failing to provide sufficient care for the victim, who has serious mental problems.
“The main message here is to speak up. Come forward. “Make sure you get law enforcement involved,” said IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson.
For their part, IMPD complimented the homeowner’s choice to call police after spotting the disheveled victim with sores on his legs last month. According to the complaint in the case, the victim is in his late 30s but thinks he is only 12.
The victim’s father died in early 2025, and Beardsley allegedly admitted that she and Wilson began caring for the victim in order to gain access to money he may have had in a trust.
According to IMPD, while the majority of neglect charges involve children, the mentally ill and elderly can also be victims who are unable to speak for themselves.
“We do not want these caregivers taking advantage of them. We are their voice, just as we are the voice of young children,” Thompson explained.
Police urge anyone who notices symptoms of abuse or neglect to contact the state’s hotline.
“We just want anyone in the community, if they think someone is not taken care of or needs assistance, please contact IMPD or law enforcement,” according to Thompson.
While the suspects originally attempted to refuse police entry into the home, detectives obtained a search warrant and discovered heroin and other evidence of drug activities. Both individuals have a significant criminal background that includes narcotics possession.
The person was initially transported to Community East Hospital for treatment.
Both suspects are scheduled for initial court appearances on Friday, pending the filing of formal charges by the prosecutor’s office.
Leave a Reply