PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Two people have been arrested after investigators say they left a woman who required around the clock care inside a residence for more than 20 hours.
Kathleen Munroe and Kevin Normet are both charged with first-degree criminal mistreatment.
According to court documents, Munore and Normet are in a romantic relationship. Munroe is an adult family member of the alleged victim.
Munroe is the primary power of attorney for the victim and Normet serves as a secondary power of attorney, according to court documents.
Doctors for the victim have noted in their reports that she requires around the clock care in a licensed care facility because of her dementia and high risk of falling, according to court documents.
Police learned that numerous neighbors have called to report the victim being left inside the residence on several occasions, according to court documents. One of the calls was made in November when the woman was found pounding on the glass yelling for help. A neighbor was able to get inside the home to comfort the woman.
The neighbor told police that inside a bedroom there were pillows on a bed and under a cover to make it look like a person was sleeping, according to court documents. The freezer above the fridge had also been taped shut. There were “boxes and boxes” of food upstairs. Because the woman cannot get upstairs, she had no access to the food, according to court documents.
“A neighbor who has resided near [the woman] since 1987 stated that [the woman] is alone no less than 20 hours a day,” according to court documents.
Police learned that Munore and Normet usually show up around dinner time and leave about 4 hours later and no one else is seen coming or going from the house, according to court documents.
Earlier this month, police set up on the home to watch it after getting more reports that Munore and Normet had left the woman unattended. After several hours, police entered the home to check on the woman and discovered that she was alone.
Munore and Normet were both taken into custody.
Both have been released from custody and have pleaded not guilty.