Elder Abuse Case Forces Two Arrests

We received this press release from the Fernandina Beach Police Department regarding an elderly abuse case connected with the death of Ms. Betty Johnson on Amelia Island.

We just received this press release from the Fernandina Beach Police Department regarding an elderly abuse case connected with the death of Ms. Betty Johnson on Amelia Island.

Fernandina Beach, FL – The Fernandina Beach Police Department is investigating an elderly abuse case connected with the death of Ms. Betty Johnson. The Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue was dispatched via 911 to an unresponsive ninety-four year old female at 1002 South 10th Street on Friday, February 5, 2010. Upon arrival fire department personnel found Ms. Johnson to be severely dehydrated and unresponsive. She was immediately transported to Baptist-Nassau Emergency Room for life saving treatment.

Upon arrival at Baptist-Nassau ER Ms. Johnson was found to be in an extremely poor state of health, her condition was listed as critical. She had numerous pressure sores across her body that were consistent with a person being in the same position for a long period of time. The police were advised that the injuries found on Ms. Johnson were consistent with severe neglect. At 8:50 PM Betty Johnson was pronounced dead.

Mrs. Johnson had been living with her Grandson, Giovan Johnson (thirty-three years of age), and his wife, Latasha Johnson (twenty-nine years of age) at 1002 South 10th Street since December 2009. They were considered Johnson’s caregivers for at least the past three or four months. Prior to living in Fernandina Beach she had been a resident of a nursing home in North Carolina.

Fernandina Beach Detectives interviewed both of the caregivers Friday evening and determined that Mrs. Johnson had been neglected by them since arriving in Fernandina Beach. The investigation revealed that Mrs. Johnson had been seated in a beach-style chair, day and night, for over a month without proper care. Both subjects were aware of her injuries and purposely neglected to seek any care or medical help to assist them with her injuries and sores.

Giovan Johnson and Latasha Johnson were arrested and charged with Elderly Abuse/Neglect and are being held on a $100,002.00 bond.

The State Attorney’s Office assisted Fernandina Beach detectives in obtaining a search warrant for the residence. At approximately 3:00 AM on Saturday, February 6, 2010, Fernandina Beach Crime Scene Detectives entered the home at 1002 South 10th Street and collected evidence relating to the incident.

Mrs. Betty Johnson’s body will be sent to the Jacksonville Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. Detectives will await the autopsy results to determine if any additional charges will be sought.