GREENWOOD, Ind. — The Johnson County Prosecutor has filed neglect charges against a Greenwood woman in connection with the condition of her husband. Darlene Dickinson, 69, could face up to three years in prison, if convicted.
In May of this year, a concerned neighbor called police when she found the man stumbling on his front porch covered in feces. Greenwood police determined the man, who is stroke survivor confined to a wheelchair because of a leg amputation, was wearing dirty clothes, a dirty adult diaper and was possibly malnourished. The home the couple shared was relatively clean and in good order except for the man’s bedroom. His bedroom was filled with trash, rotting food and feces. When the man was taken to the hospital he weighed 100 pounds.
The victim told investigators for the last couple of years he had been shut in his room. Due to the conditions in the room, he told police there were so many flies he had to cover his head with a blanket in order to sleep at night. Allegedly, he received only one meal a day from Meals on Wheels and a warm Pepsi from his wife.
The victim was moved to his son’s home where he has gained 30 pounds in two months, and is now in much better health.