Ocala police charge grandson in grandmother's death, alleging neglect

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on charges of aggravated neglect/manslaughter/neglect of an elderly person in connection with the death of his grandmother.

Ocala police officers arrested Daquanya Chadnod Wilkerson on Saturday. He's being held without bail. The Public Defender's Office is representing him.

In an arrest report, Ocala Detective Denise Drake said her agency was called to an Ocala residence in early January to investigate a case of possible elder abuse. First responders said the apartment was dirty, and a 66-year-old occupant had feces, sweat and blood on her upper body. The woman also had severe bed sores and bruising on her body, officials said.

The woman was transported to HCA Ocala Florida Hospital.

Officers went to the hospital and spoke with Wilkerson and his brother. Authorities were told Wilkerson was the woman's caregiver. Wilkerson's brother had called 911 after visiting the victim's residence and finding her unresponsive. The woman's condition was described as deplorable.

Wilkerson told law enforcement he had been caring for his grandmother since her release from a rehabilitation center. He said he paid her bills, had access to her accounts, and had sought power of attorney, the report says.

Drake investigated. The victim had a stroke and was hospitalized in July 2023. She was later admitted to an Ocala rehab center. Her grandson checked her out of that facility in October 2023, according to the arrest report.

When the victim was discharged she was in good health and had supplies, including a hospital bed, the report states. The woman had two doctor appointments but missed them both, the detective wrote.

Drake got a search warrant for the victim's residence the day after she was taken to the hospital. At the apartment, officials did not find any Ensure or medication for the victim. Wilkerson said the last time his grandmother had anything to eat or drink was a few days before she was taken to the hospital. The woman died three days after she was transported to the hospital, police officials said.

Assistance refused

Medical reports from the first responders who took the victim to the hospital indicate the residence had a stench. The sheets and mattress were soaked with bodily fluids and feces, some of which leaked on the floor. First responders had to use masks while inside, according to the arrest report. At the hospital, there was a powerful stench of decomposition and infection, police officials said.

Drake interviewed a woman about the victim. The woman said Wilkerson had told her the rehab facility's bill was too high. The woman, who's a certified nursing assistant, said she could help take care of the woman if needed.

A month after the victim was discharged from the rehab center, the CNA said Wilkerson called and asked for help. She said she showed Wilkerson and his girlfriend how to take care of the victim. The woman said each time she came by the residence, she brought diapers and cream.

The woman said she stopped by in December and the victim was in bad shape. She said the victim had a foul odor. Asked if the victim had visited a doctor, she said Wilkerson told her no because he had to pay for it.

The woman said she visited again and noticed the woman was in the same position as during her last visit, and it didn't appear that anything had been done. She said the victim told her she's not receiving proper care.

The nurse said she called and told the victim's relatives what was happening. After the phone call, the woman said, Wilkerson called and told her not to come back to the residence.

Wilkerson, the report states, refused to follow up on his grandmother's medication. He alleged he could not do it because he was busy working, according to the arrest report.

Detective's conclusion

When the detective interviewed Wilkerson, he said he was his grandmother's caregiver, gave multiple reasons why he didn't get his grandmother's medications, and noted that the two lived together for several years. He gave different statements about her feeding, officials said.

The victim's medical records indicate she was in poor health and had been neglected. The victim's account had been accessed and money was withdrawn to purchase food, authorities said.

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Drake repeatedly tried to contact Wilkerson's brother and other people connected to the family, but was unsuccessful.

The detective concluded Wilkerson should be charged based on the findings of her investigation.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Detectives charge grandson with grandmother's death in neglect case