Karie Lynn Lightfoot grew tired of caring for an 81-year-old dementia patient and moved out of Florida, allegedly forcing the victim to sleep outside in a tent.
Authorities have charged Lightfoot, 53, with elder neglect. A probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by local ABC affiliate WFTV and NBC affiliate WESH states that deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to an Ocala home on June 3 after investigators with the Department of Children and Families found the woman outside.
The woman reportedly has dementia, along with mobility issues, and she said her caregiver, Lightfoot, placed her in the tent outside her home. She had limited food and water, and the tent’s distance from the home kept her from getting inside. The tent reportedly held a mattress and a few small appliances, but little else.
Lightfoot reportedly gave the victim adult diapers but told her she would have to change herself, according to the affidavit. The victim had allegedly been living in the tent for about a week.
The victim’s son, who was out of the country for work, reportedly told police that Lightfoot had cared for his mother for about two years before deciding she no longer wanted to continue.
Lightfoot allegedly moved to Texas and forced the victim to stay inside the tent, never bothering to find someone else to care for her.
The victim subsequently suffered a fall, and police took her to the hospital for treatment.
She is expected to move to a nursing home upon discharge from the hospital, the affidavit reportedly said.
Police arrested Lightfoot on Saturday and took her to the Marion County Jail, where she has since posted a $2,000 bond. Her next court date was not listed.
Leave a Reply