Naples caregiver accused of neglecting disabled patient

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NAPLES, Fla.- A caregiver was arrested Thursday, accused of neglecting a disabled patient, the Naples Police Department said.

Marcus Wise, 19, is facing charges for neglect of a disabled adult without great bodily harm, a third-degree felony, police said.

On Thursday, police responded to the Coastland Center mall parking lot where a disabled 23-year-old woman was found unattended and sweating profusely inside a running vehicle.

The temperature inside the vehicle was noticeably hot with air blowing out of the vents as if the heater was on, authorities said.

Wise later approached the van and identified himself as the patient’s caregiver, saying he had been inside the mall for approximately two hours while he returned items and ate in the food court. Wise said he thought the patient would be safe by herself, authorities said.

Detectives say the patient was extremely disabled and needs care similar to that of an infant. She was transported to Naples Community Hospital where she was ultimately treated and released.

 

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