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Written by: E. George
Published November 1, 2024 @ 1:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding alleged domestic violence/exploitation of disabled or elderly persons.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. – Authorities arrested a 50-year-old Warner Robins woman on August 26, 2024, after a hospice nurse reported suspected elder abuse involving the suspect’s 79-year-old mother.
The witness told Houston County Sheriff’s deputies and Centerville police officers that she discovered ants crawling all over the victim’s body and face and in her nose and mouth. She provided them with photographs and explained that the victim’s caregiver was her daughter, Deena Rae Poff.
The nurse explained that the victim could not remove the ants herself due to her limited mobility. She also found her wearing the same diaper from her previous visit over a day prior.
She described the living conditions inside the home as cluttered and unsanitary. She said she spotted a giant rat that looked like a small cat running around.
Law enforcement contacted Poff via telephone, and the suspect stated, “There were not that many ants on [the victim] before [I] left to go to work.”
Poff was charged with punishment – exploiting an elderly or disabled person. This case is pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On 2 August 2024 at approximately 1039 hours, I was on duty with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, in uniform, with my badge displayed, and I was in a marked patrol vehicle (848). I was dispatched to Centerville Police Department at 308 E Church St, Centerville Ga in reference to a elder abuse complaint.
Upon arrival I made contact with [WITNESS #1], a nurse for Amedisys Hospice. [WITNESS #1] stated on 26 July 2024 they received a new patient, [VICTIM #1], who lived at [400 BLOCK] Smithville Church Road. [VICTIM #1] received visits on 28 July 2024, 30 July 2024, and 31 July 2024. During each visit the nurse’s and CNA’s reported seeing ants on [VICTIM #1]. When [WITNESS #1] arrived to the residence at approximately 0900 hours she found [VICTIM #1] in the bed with ants crawling all over her body, in her mouth and nose. Due to [VICTIM #1]s heath she was unable to get the ants off her by herself. While cleaning up [VICTIM #1] [WITNESS #1] noticed the diaper [VICTIM #1] was wearing was the same one from the previous visit on 31 July 2024. [VICTIM #1] removed the ants and cleaned up [VICTIM #1].
[WITNESS #1] stated the living conditions inside the residence were unsanitary and cluttered. [WITNESS #1] stated she seen a rat inside the residence which appeared to look like a small cat. [WITNESS #1] provided me with pictures she took while on scene of the ants crawling on [VICTIM #1]. [WITNESS #1] stated [VICTIM #1]s care giver was her daughter, Deena Poff. Since [VICTIM #1] started services with Amedisys Hospice, [VICTIM #1] hasn’t been home to make contact with a nurse in reference to [VICTIM #1]’s health.
I made contact with Corporal Frizzell and advised him of the incident. I then made contact with Sergeant Darden, the on-call investigator. Sergeant Darden and Corporal Lewis were provided the address and advised me they would be enroute. I advised [WITNESS #1] to meet me and the investigators at the residence.
Once on scene Corporal Lewis and Sergeant Darden made contact with [WITNESS #1] to gather additional information. I made contact with Deena by phone and advised her to be enroute to the residence to meet with investigators. While on the phone with Deena she made the comment that there were not that many ants on [VICTIM #1] before she left to go to work. Deena stated she was leaving work in Macon, Ga and would be enroute.
I remained on scene while Sergeant Darden and Corporal Lewis completed their investigation. The photos were sent by [WITNESS #1] to Corporal Lewis to be added to the report. Refer to Corporal Lewis supplement report for further.
[End of Narrative]