The owner of an adult care facility in Mississippi was recently arrested and charged with seven felonies for allegedly abusing seniors in her care.
Tamela Monique Hammond, who owns Elegant Personal Care and Adult Day Care in Pascagoula, was taken into custody on July 25. The 53-year-old was charged with exploitation of a vulnerable person, inflicting severe mental anguish, and willfully inflicting pain on a vulnerable adult. Officials confirmed the seven counts were for seven people under Hammond’s care.
Noah Noble, a news reporter for WLOX in nearby Biloxi, gained access to Elegant Personal Care and according to him, “the smell of urine was overwhelming.” The reporter added that most beds were stained and without sheets and before the locks were changed and the seniors living there were moved to other facilities, family members claimed Hammond would not allow them to see their loved ones.
Hammond was arrested after resident Willie James Adams was rushed to Singing River Hospital on July 24. Upon arrival, it was discovered that Adams, an amputee, had not been taking his medication and was noticeably starved. This sparked the investigation into Hammond’s operations, and within 24 hours, she was behind bars.
It’s worth noting that Adams is married to Hammond’s mother, Rubenia. Rubenia, who also lived at Elegant Personal Care, was prevented from seeing her other children, according to Hammond’s sister.
“I couldn’t see my mom,” the sister told the TV station. “That was real bad on me. I thought the next time I’ll probably see my momma would have been in a casket.”
WLOX went on to add that Rubenia, Adams, along with the other residents are recovering. The city of Pascagoula has since condemned the building on Andrew Avenue and cited unsanitary conditions, exposed electrical equipment, and insects present inside the facility.
While Hammond did bond out shortly after initially being arrested, she was taken back into custody again for trying to contact the elderly people she is accused of abusing. Her bond has been revoked as she awaits her appearance in court.
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