Sheriff: Son accused in death of the elderly father, found with infected ulcers and stench like decaying flesh

The death of his partially handicapped father, who was found underweight, filthy, and stinking like decaying flesh, has led to accusations against a Florida son.

According to online court documents, Alton Leamon Cardwell, 45, is accused with aggravated manslaughter of an aged person in connection with the passing of his father, Jimmy Lamar Cardwell, 71.

The letter states that six years ago, the sufferer had a stroke that left his left side paraplegic. According to an affidavit of probable cause detailing the charges, his son assumed the duty of full-time caregiver.

On August 28, the case came to light. In response to a call regarding a death investigation, an officer arrived at Rockledge Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit.

The affidavit states that Jimmy Cardwell’s poor physical and medical condition led to his emergency operation.

The report describes the victim’s discovery in detail. He looked scrawny and skinny. His hair and fingernails were really long.

In addition, the victim’s left foot was diseased, with dead skin and excessively overgrown toenails. On his right shoulder and on his back, the victim developed two large pressure ulcers.

His back had a badly infected pressure ulcer that was leaking pus, and his bone was exposed. The affidavit said that he had extreme muscle atrophy and a decaying flesh odor.

The victim reported that he felt unsafe at home and that he was being abused when the physicians came.

The son told police that he was his father’s principal caregiver and that his father had been bedridden for two years during an interview at his Rockledge residence. More over fifty miles to the southeast of Orlando sits Rockledge.

He told investigators that he fed him daily and gave him a bath every few days. But in the end, he acknowledged that he bathed him every few months.

The defendant responded that the victim received $2,000 in social security benefits every month when questioned how he supplied the victim with food and materials.

He was only able to provide $300 in materials when questioned about the $2,000 spent on the victim. Rent and other household expenses were covered by portion of the money, he said.

When questioned about the victim’s left foot, the son admitted that he knew it was dirty but decided against cleaning it since the victim might kick him and complain.

He claimed that he had not gone to the doctor to get the victim’s foot treated. According to the affidavit, the defendant said that the victim’s pressure ulcer on his back had only been there for a week and wasn’t that bad.

Earlier this month, the defendant was taken into custody. The Brevard County Jail is where he is being kept. There is no set date for the court appearance.

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