A father-daughter pair have been charged with neglect in the starvation death of an elderly Windsor man who they cared for in a house littered with trash, animal and human waste, authorities said.
Dale Sharkey, 56 (left) and Danielle Sharkey, 27 (right), have been charged with abuse or neglect resulting in the death of a vulnerable adult, identified as 74-year-old George F. Gibson. Investigators also hold an arrest warrant for 26-year-old Renee Sharkey.
The victim was taken to a Windsor gas station for help Sunday, where deputies and EMS officials found him unresponsive, authorities said. He died later at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
An investigation showed he lived with the Sharkeys at 622 Stillwater Road in Windsor.
“Investigators met with the Sharkeys at their residence and found the living conditions deplorable,” sheriff’s Sgt. Jason Feemster said. “The residence was full of trash, animal and human waste.”
The home has since been condemned and several cats and dogs seized. Authorities say the Sharkeys were caregivers for Gibson and that his death was the result of neglect and failing to seek medical attention, Sgt. Feemster said.
According to Coroner Tim Carlton, it was determined that Gibson’s physical condition and the witness account of how Gibson came to be at the emergency room were inconsistent. The Coroner’s Office notified the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office due to the possible criminal circumstances.
“During the course of the week it became clear that Mr. Gibson had been severely mistreated by his caretakers,” Carlton said in a press release. “An autopsy was ordered and it confirmed that Mr. Gibson died from pneumonia and severe decubitis ulcers. These issues were determined to be caused by lack of nutrition, starvation and neglect.”
The coroner called it “one of the worst cases the Coroner’s Office has ever dealt with.”
This investigation was conducted with the assistance of the Aiken County Coroner’s Office, the Second Judicial Circuit Office of the Solicitor, Aiken County Code Enforcement and Aiken County Animal Control.
