Daleville women charged with abusing disabled husband, father

Published: Sep. 24, 2013 at 1:13 AM CDT|Updated: Oct. 4, 2013 at 1:13 AM CDT
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Stephanie Jeter and Lauren Jeter are accused of abusing their relative and a dog at a home in...
Stephanie Jeter and Lauren Jeter are accused of abusing their relative and a dog at a home in Daleville.
Police say the victim in this house in Daleville was forced to live in "horrible" conditions.
Police say the victim in this house in Daleville was forced to live in "horrible" conditions.

DALEVILLE, AL (WSFA) - A south Alabama mother and her daughter are under arrest and charged with holding the woman's disabled husband, her daughter's father, as a prisoner in his own home.

Police say what they found inside the Daleville home was hard to imagine. The man was allegedly abused at the hands of the people who should have cared for him the most.

The 52-year-old victim, who is not being identified by name, is said to have been locked in his room for up to a month. Investigators say he was physically unable to leave and was given the meager meal of a single can of ravioli per day.

The man's wife, Stephanie Jeter, and his daughter, Lauren Jeter, are now facing neglect and abuse of a disabled adult charges.

The victim is unable to take care of himself because of a medical condition, authorities say, and his family was not giving him the medication he required. Claims of physical abuse are also being lodged at the women.

Investigators who entered the home found it covered with trash and say there was a large amount of dog feces around the residence. Police called the conditions "horrible" and said no one should be living under those them.

The man's abuse came to the attention of investigators, according to Daleville Police Chief Harvey Mathis, after a concerned citizen called police to ask for a welfare check on the man.

Chief Mathis believes the call probably saved the disabled victim's life.

The victim is now being cared for by the Department of Humane Resources so he can receive the treatment he needs.

In addition to the man's abuse, authorities are also charging the Jeter women with animal cruelty charges after police found a mistreated dog with matted, feces-covered fur and nails that were almost grown to the back of the animal's feet.

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