Woman charged with neglect of vulnerable adult

Published 10:28 pm Thursday, November 30, 2017

An Albert Lea woman who allegedly neglectfully treated a vulnerable adult she knew was charged last month in Freeborn County District Court.

Michelle Renee Dawes, 32, is charged with felony neglect. Her first appearance is scheduled for Dec. 14.

Court documents state Dawes was charged after an Albert Lea Police Department officer was dispatched Sept. 14 to a report of possible financial abuse of a vulnerable adult. Dawes reportedly failed to pay the bills for the adult, so the services for the adult were being discontinued.

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Upon arriving, the vulnerable adult was described as “pale,” “gray,” and “very thin.”

Medication bottles were reportedly on a small cupboard and strewn across the floor.

Empty plastic soda bottles and other items were found, including a raw meat package.

Fruit flies and bed bugs were reportedly in the apartment, and an ambulance treated the vulnerable adult.

Court documents state Dawes admitted owing money for services provided to the vulnerable adult.

The adult’s account was reportedly overdrawn, and purchases allegedly could not be attributed to the adult.

Dawes reportedly failed to turn in paperwork regarding the vulnerable adult’s case.

Court documents state when the vulnerable adult was evaluated in late September, she had lost nearly 20 pounds in about 1 1/2 months and had severe anemia, cachexia, severe malnutrition, CAD and heart failure.

A mugshot for Dawes was not available at press time.

About Sam Wilmes

Sam Wilmes covers crime, courts and government for the Albert Lea Tribune.

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