For The News Courier

On Tuesday, Nov. 5, a 911 emergency call was placed for an assault in progress in the 25000 block of Children Street in Elkmont, from a good samaritan.

Elkmont Police Chief Donny Johns responded and found an elderly male and elderly female severely beaten and bleeding. The suspect fled from Johns on foot toward the Richard Martin Walking Trail, according to law enforcement officials.

Sergeant Robert Morse and deputy Nick Gibson also responded to the scene. Captain Caleb Durden and Johns began searching for the suspect and located him in the woods along the walking trail about a mile from the scene.

He was then taken into custody. Investigator Jesse Gibson responded, and it was determined that the victims were the suspect’s parents. Probable cause was found to charge the 55-year-old Elkmont resident with the following:

— Elder Abuse in the 1st degree, for assaulting his mother, no bond set.

— Elder Abuse in the 2nd degree, for assaulting his father, no bond set.

— Domestic Violence 3 Criminal Mischief 3rd, no bond set.

— Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order, no bond set.

— Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, bond set at $2,500.

— Public Intoxication, bond set at $500.

— Resisting Arrest, bond set at $1,000.

— Warrant — DUI, bond set at $1,000.

The Protecting Alabama’s Elders Act states that a person commits the crime of elder abuse and neglect in the first degree if he or she intentionally abuses or neglects any elderly person and the abuse or neglect causes serious physical injury to the elderly person. Elder abuse and neglect in the first degree is a Class A felony.

A person commits the crime of elder abuse in the second degree if he or she intentionally abuses or neglects any elderly person and the abuse or neglect causes physical injury to the elderly person. Elder abuse and neglect in the second degree is a Class B felony.