A 69-year-old Marietta man is accused of performing a sex act on an 86-year-old disabled woman with severe dementia. Michael Murphy was arrested after a witness allegedly found him standing near the head of the woman's hospital bed with his genitals exposed, according to an arrest warrant.
The alleged incident happened at 7:20 a.m. on Oct. 18 at a residence at 760 Pinewood Drive in Marietta, according to an arrest warrant from the Cobb County Police Department cited by the Marietta Daily Journal. Murphy was charged with sodomy and exploitation of a disabled or elderly person or healthcare shelter, per the warrant.
Witness Reportedly Found Murphy Near Victim's Bed
Murphy is identified in the warrant as the victim's ex-husband.
Booking and Custody Status
Jail records show Murphy was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center following his arrest on Oct. 18. He remained in custody without bond as of the warrant's filing, the report states.
What Georgia Law Says About Exploitation Charges
Under Georgia Code § 16-5-102(a), knowingly and willfully exploiting a disabled adult or elder person, or willfully inflicting sexual abuse on one, is a felony, according to the statute published by law.justia.com. A conviction under that statute can bring between one and 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.
The Georgia Attorney General's Office offers a consumer guide for older adults.
Georgia law also lays out who is required, and who is encouraged, to report suspected mistreatment of vulnerable adults. The Georgia Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services says the law identifies mandated reporters for disabled adults or elder persons living in the community as well as for residents of long-term care facilities, while all other parties are encouraged to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation.
