Written by: E. George
Published April 17, 2024 @ 8:30 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding domestic violence against a disabled person.
SCREVEN COUNTY, Ga. – On February 27, 2024, authorities arrested a 60-year-old Sylvania man for abusing his disabled wife. The victim’s daughter contacted the Sylvania Police Department on February 22 to report the suspected mental and physical abuse and obtain assistance in securing an Adult Protective Services case worker.
She explained that her father should be taking care of her mother because she suffered a stroke and cannot care for herself. However, he had been leaving her in her urine and feces for extended periods before cleaning her.
On several occasions, her mother’s skin became so irritated and discolored that she needed to visit the hospital for treatment. The caller said she learned that her father yells at her mother and calls her names for using the restroom.
The officer contacted Adult Protective Services and reported the alleged abuse. On February 25, the daughter called the officer again and requested a welfare check for her mother, which resulted in the victim being transported to the hospital.
On February 27, the daughter reported that her mother disclosed her living conditions to hospital staff and said that William David Ray hit her in the head repeatedly with an open hand. She said he also hit her in the leg with a metal cup.
Hospital personnel photographed her bruises and skin irritations from wounds that Ray failed to treat properly.
Ray was charged with exploiting an elderly or disabled adult. 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 Thursday, 2-22-2024 I was contacted by [REDACTED] where she asked me to help obtain a case worker through Adult Protective Services for her mother. [REDACTED] advised that her mother, [VICTIM #1] had a stroke some time back and is unable to take care of herself. She stated that her dad, David Ray is supposed to be taking care of her where they both reside at [100 BLOCK] Georgia Ave. in Sylvania. [REDACTED] asked for me to contact Adult Protective Services for her because she believes her father is not properly taking care of her mother. She advised that her mother is being left lying in her own urine and feces for some time before he finally cleans her up.
[REDACTED] advised that on several occasions her mother’s skin had become irritated and discolored to the point where she had to be transported to the hospital for treatment. [REDACTED] also advised me that her mother is being mentally abused by her father. She stated that on several occasions she has learned that Mr. Ray yells at his wife when she uses the restroom on herself and he has called her names for doing so. I then contacted Adult Protective Services and made a report with them explaining the situation at [100 BLOCK] Georgia Ave. The caseworker’s name was provided with her phone number, [REDACTED] which I passed onto Mrs. [REDACTED].
On Sunday, 2-25-2024 I received a phone call from [REDACTED] stating that she would like a welfare check to be done at [100 BLOCK] Georgia Ave. to check on her mother. At this time, I called Officer Bennett and asked for him to do so which he did. Officer Bennett called me back after visiting the address and explained that Mrs. [VICTIM #1] was being transported to East Georgia Hospital in Statesboro Georgia to be observed. I then let the daughter, [REDACTED] know about her being transported and for her to keep me informed on the situation.
On Tuesday, 2-27-2024 I received a phone call from Mrs. [REDACTED] stating that her mom, [VICTIM #1] opened up to the hospital staff explaining her living conditions at home. She stated that her husband, William, on Sunday hit her in the head repletely with on open hand and then he hit her in the leg with a metal cup which the hospital staff took photographs of the bruises. She explained to the hospital staff that the skins irritations were from where her husband did not properly take care of her wounds; Photographs were also taken of this area.
[End of Narrative]