A Knoxville woman is facing serious charges after authorities say she shoved a disabled woman out of her wheelchair on a downtown sidewalk and took off with the chair, leaving the victim stranded until help arrived Wednesday, July 8.
The victim, who cannot walk, was left on the sidewalk until someone called police that evening. The accused, 61-year-old Donna Caudill, was later taken into custody and is now charged with robbery, theft and assault, according to court records.
Court records reviewed by WVLT state that around 10:30 a.m., the victim was sitting in her wheelchair on 5th Avenue near Arthur Street when Caudill allegedly walked up, grabbed the woman’s arm and pushed her out of the chair, then left the area with the wheelchair.
Later that day, at about 6 p.m., a 911 caller reported seeing Caudill pushing a wheelchair up Broadway. Officers found her on North Broadway near Oak Avenue, the records say. According to the report, Caudill first claimed the wheelchair belonged to her, then told investigators she had seen the victim earlier and had pushed her out of the chair. She was arrested at that point and charged.
Legal implications
Court paperwork lists robbery, theft and assault among the charges. Under Tennessee law, robbery is defined as “the intentional or knowing theft of property from the person of another by violence or putting the person in fear,” and it is prosecuted as a felony. Aggravated robbery, which involves either a deadly weapon or serious bodily injury, carries even harsher penalties. For the statutory wording and related case law, see Tennessee Courts.
Why it matters
Incidents involving people who rely on wheelchairs or other mobility aids can be especially devastating, because the victim may have almost no way to get to safety once their equipment is taken or compromised. National data show that people with disabilities experience violent victimization at higher rates than those without disabilities, and advocates say these cases are often underreported and harder to navigate for survivors. For national statistics, see the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
According to the WVLT report, Caudill was booked after officers took her into custody, and the case has been forwarded to prosecutors. Court records are expected to list arraignment dates or upcoming hearings as the district attorney’s office reviews the file. Additional public records and filings should provide more detail as the case moves through the system.
