INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A caregiver was jailed after a 96-year-old woman fell to the ground and was left there for nearly 10 hours, deputies said.
The caregiver, Carolyn Dawn O’Hearn, and the woman got into an argument shortly before the incident. The woman told O’Hearn, “You’re out of here,” reports show.
O’Hearn had been working as the woman’s caregiver for two weeks, deputies said.
Carolyn O’Hearn
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Deputies arrested O’Hearn, 59, of the 600 block of 2nd Street, Vero Beach, on a charge of neglect of elderly. O’Hearn was released Tuesday from the Indian River County Jail on $7,500 bond.
Indian River County Fire Rescue crews first responded to reports of an elderly person that fell about 8 a.m. Monday at a home in the 600 block of West Lake Jasmin Circle, reports show. Fire crews saw the 96-year-old lying in her own urine on the living room floor, unable to get up on her own.
The woman told first responders she was on the floor all night, from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. She also said O’Hearn would not assist her after the woman repeatedly asked for help, reports show.
At one point, O’Hearn covered the woman with a blanket and pillow, authorities said. Fire crews said O’Hearn appeared to be intoxicated, was stumbling and slurring her words.
O’Hearn told fire crews she tried to pick the woman up about 4 a.m., but was unsuccessful. O’Hearn waited several hours before she dialed 911, reports show.
Indian River County deputies went to the home to investigate what happened. O’Hearn told deputies the woman refused help in getting up off the floor, reports show.
Deputies found a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey in the kitchen, officials said. O’Hearn admitted to deputies she gulped three shots of the liquor.
Deputies arrested O’Hearn and took her to the county jail. Details on O’Hearn’s arraignment were not available.
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