A Tennessee woman is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly abandoning six disabled adults in dangerous conditions during a road trip. The incident has raised alarms about the mistreatment of vulnerable individuals, leading to felony charges against Bernice Jarrett, 61.
The situation came to light when the Memphis Police Department responded to a medical call at a Goodyear Tire location. Upon arrival, officers discovered a yellow school bus with a trailer attached to it, parked at the location. Inside the bus, the officers found five adults with intellectual disabilities and one adult with dementia.
The conditions they were living in were described as uninhabitable, with no running water, no food, and no basic necessities. The passengers, who were left alone in the bus during the trip, were malnourished and wearing dirty clothes. They were immediately taken to a hospital for medical treatment, with one of them in critical condition.
It was also revealed that one of the adults had been critically injured the day before, allegedly by another adult on the bus. Despite the injury, the injured adult did not receive any medical care, raising further concerns about the lack of proper supervision and neglect. Authorities confirmed later that one of the adults had died, though it was unclear whether it was the person in critical condition.
According to police, the woman responsible for the adults’ care, Bernice Jarrett, was allegedly staying in hotels during the road trip and left the six adults and three goats unattended in the bus and trailer overnight. The road trip, which was supposed to be a routine journey from Texas to Virginia, turned into a nightmare for the passengers. Police described the living conditions as “inhumane,” with the disabled adults confined to a cramped, filthy bus, isolated from the outside world.
Jarrett, who was supposed to be providing care for the vulnerable individuals, was found to have left them in an unsafe, neglectful situation. While Jarrett stayed in hotels, the adults and goats were left in the bus and trailer overnight. Police say this neglectful behavior violated the trust that should have been placed in her as their caregiver.
The situation grew even more disturbing when authorities learned that three goats were also in the trailer attached to the bus. The animals were left unattended in the trailer without proper care, food, or water. Memphis Animal Services took custody of the goats after the incident was reported.
Jarrett was arrested by the Memphis Police Department and booked into the county jail, where she is currently being held on a bond set at $80,000. She has been charged with six counts of aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult and five counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult, amounting to 11 felony charges. Her arrest followed an investigation by the police, which found that the conditions inside the bus were not just uncomfortable but were dangerous and could have led to further harm.
The severity of the charges against Jarrett indicates how seriously authorities are taking this case. Aggravated neglect of vulnerable adults is a felony charge in Tennessee, and it carries severe penalties. If convicted, Jarrett could face significant prison time, especially since the neglect led to the death of one of the adults and left others in critical condition.
The tragic death of one of the adults has brought additional attention to this case. According to local reports, the victim had been critically injured by another adult on the bus the day before, but no one provided any medical care. The police investigation revealed that the condition of the bus was deplorable, and the adults had been left in a situation where their health and safety were compromised.
The victim’s death has prompted the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office to step in and investigate the case further. They are looking into the circumstances surrounding the death and whether the lack of medical attention contributed to the individual’s demise. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.
While Jarrett is facing criminal charges, the incident has also highlighted broader issues related to the care of vulnerable adults. Many have questioned how such neglect could have occurred, especially since Jarrett was trusted to care for these individuals. The case has raised concerns about the oversight of caregivers, particularly those responsible for vulnerable adults who may be unable to care for themselves.
Advocates for people with disabilities have expressed shock and outrage over the incident, calling for more stringent regulations and better monitoring of caregivers who work with vulnerable individuals. The tragedy has sparked discussions about the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of people with disabilities and the elderly, who are often at risk of being neglected or mistreated.
The case also sheds light on the role of animal welfare in situations like this. While the adults were being mistreated, the goats in the trailer were also subjected to neglect. Animal cruelty laws in Tennessee protect animals from being abandoned or left without proper care, and authorities have stepped in to ensure the goats are being properly cared for. Memphis Animal Services now has custody of the animals, and they are being treated for their neglectful conditions.
Jarrett is expected to appear in court on April 11, where she will face the charges against her. As the case progresses, more details will likely emerge, and the community will continue to follow the case closely. The death of one of the adults and the apparent neglect of the others have left the community in shock and mourning.
This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of proper caregiving and the need for accountability when it comes to protecting vulnerable individuals. Authorities will likely continue to scrutinize the actions of caregivers like Jarrett, and the case could have wider implications for how caregivers are monitored and held accountable for their actions.
As for the victims in this case, their journey from Texas to Virginia ended in tragedy. They were supposed to be under the care of someone who could ensure their safety, but instead, they found themselves in a dangerous, neglectful situation that left one person dead and others in critical condition. The story of their mistreatment will hopefully serve as a wake-up call for others who care for vulnerable individuals.
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