SAND FORK, W.Va. — A Gilmer County couple is charged with the abuse of an elderly man who was supposed to have been in their care.
State Police filed the charges against Britanni Bell, 33, and her boyfriend Rex Wallbrown, 37, both of Sand Fork, W.Va. The pair is charged with conspiracy and abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult.
The charges stem from the discovery of a man living in a camper on their property in Gilmer County. Troopers were called for a welfare check at the camper on March 18th. A Meals on Wheels driver made the call after the man living in the camper, identified as Johnny Miller, had been unable to come to the door to get his meal delivery because he couldn’t walk.
A trooper, along with the Gilmer County Sheriff and Glenville City Police Chief made contact with Mr. Miller and found him lying on a couch in the camper which had no running water or bathroom. The criminal complaint indicated Miller’s feet were “… black, have open tissue, which showed bones and flesh..” The complaint added the trooper observed, “…what appeared to be a collection of bodily fluid under Mr. Miller’s feet which had dripped down from his feet to the end of the couch Mr. Miller was lying on.” Investigators said Miller was unable to move his toes and could not walk.
When questioned, Bell and Wallbrown, claimed they took care of Miller by washing his clothes and making sure he had food and would even assist him with showering. According to the complaint the two admitted they never called 911 or Adult Care Services in regard to Miller’s health despite his condition and inability to care for himself. The complaint stated both admitted they should have contacted help for the man.
Investigators added in the criminal complaint they observed text messages between Bell and Miller’s daughter in which they told the daughter they were “looking after” her father.
Both Wallbrown and Bell are lodged in the Central Regional Jail at Flatwoods.