A Florida man was arrested for neglect and abuse of his 82-year-old mother after police performed a wellness check at his home.
Palm Beach County Deputies said that they were called to the home in Royal Palm Beach on Thursday after his 91-year-old father had been admitted to a hospital with brain bleeding.
Christopher Gissoni initially refused to bring his mother to the door, according to the charging document, but eventually, he grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her to the window.
Investigators said that she was “extremely emaciated” and weighed between 75 to 80 pounds.
Police asker her questions to determine her mental state, and when she was asked when she remembered eating last, she said that she didn’t know.
Police said they found two loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handguns but very little food in the home. They saw signs of violence, including “fist marks” in the doors and the walls. Prescription medicine was strewn on the floor. Investigators said a recliner used by one of the elderly adults had mold on it.
Neighbors to Gissoni said they were not surprised by the accusations. One neighbor who didn’t want to be identified spoke to WPEC-TV said the man would often make a scene in public.
“Screaming at his mom, cursing at his mother,” said the neighbor. “And then all of a sudden I didn’t see her, I thought maybe she passed.”
Gissoni faces 12 charges related to the incident, including kidnapping, elderly neglect and abuse, and carrying a firearm during a felony.
“Now that I know his demeanor and everything, it doesn’t surprise me,” said the neighbor.
He was booked on a bond of $121,000 into Palm Beach County Jail.
Here’s a local news report about his arrest:
Royal Palm Beach man arrested, accused of abusing, neglecting, kidnapping elderly couplewww.youtube.com
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