Son accused in death of elderly father, found with infected ulcers and smelling of rotting flesh: Sheriff

A Florida son faces charges in the death of his partially paralyzed father, who was found thin, dirty and smelling of rotting flesh.

Alton Leamon Cardwell, 45, is accused of aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person in the death of his father, Jimmy Lamar Cardwell, 71, online court records show.

The document said the victim suffered a stroke six years ago, which had left him paralyzed on his left side. His son assumed the responsibility of his full-time caregiver, according to a probable cause affidavit outlining the allegations.

The case came to light on Aug. 28. An officer responded to Rockledge Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit on a call about a death investigation. Jimmy Cardwell had been rushed into emergency surgery due to his appalling physical and medical condition, the affidavit said.

The document goes into detail about how the victim was found. He appeared to be thin and dirty. He had severely overgrown fingernails and hair. The victim also had an infected left foot, with severe overgrown toenails and layers of dead skin. The victim had two severe pressure ulcers, one on his back and one on his right shoulder. The pressure ulcer on his back was very infected, oozing puss and his bone was visible. He smelled of rotting flesh and had severe muscle wasting, the affidavit said.

The victim told doctors when he arrived that he did not feel safe at home and felt he was being abused.

At his Rockledge home, police interviewed the son, who said he was his father’s primary caregiver and his father had been bedridden for two years. Rockledge is more than 50 miles southeast of Orlando.

He told investigators he bathed him every few days and fed him every day. But he eventually admitted to bathing him every few months.

When asked how he provided food and supplies for the victim, the defendant said the victim received $2,000 from social security every month. When asked how the $2,000 was spent on the victim, he could only account for $300 worth of supplies. He said some money was used for rent and other household items.

When asked about the victim’s left foot, the son said he was aware of the condition but left it alone because the victim would complain about it and kick him when he tried to clean it. He said he hadn’t sought medical attention for the victim’s foot. When asked about the victim’s pressure ulcer on his back, the defendant said it had only been a week since it happened, and it wasn’t that bad, the affidavit said.

The defendant was arrested earlier this month. He’s being held at the Brevard County Jail. A court date has not been scheduled.