74-year-old found dead on couch in ‘uninhabitable’ conditions, cops say. Son arrested

A 74-year-old man was found dead in his own filth inside his Augusta-area home, Georgia police say. Now, his adult son is charged.

Peter Copeland, 40, was arrested Wednesday, July 17, and charged with elder neglect after his father died in “uninhabitable” living conditions, according to the Grovetown Police Department.

Officers made the grim discovery around 8:40 p.m. after they were called about a deceased man at a home in Grovetown, police said in a news release. They found Herschel Copeland’s lifeless body on a living room couch.

“Mr. Copeland was found sitting in human excrement and urine and was also suffering from open sores on his body that were infested with insects,” authorities said.

A 72-year-old woman with mobility issues was also at the home and appeared healthy, despite living in such filthy conditions, according to authorities.

Investigators said Peter Copeland was the couple’s primary caretaker and lived with them.

He told police that his father was on the couch and “had not moved for several days,” police said in the release. The county coroner, who was at the scene, determined Herschel Copeland had been dead for four hours.

His body was taken for an autopsy to determine a cause of death, according to authorities.

Officers called Adult Protective Services, and the 72-year-old woman was taken to a hotel, police said. Authorities didn’t say how or if she’s related to Peter Copeland.

The investigation is ongoing, and police said more charges are possible.

Grovetown is about a 10-mile drive west from Augusta.

If you suspect an elder adult or an adult with disabilities has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, your first step should be to contact the appropriate agency.

National Adult Protective Services Association has a list of state agencies you can contact confidentially. Find help specific to your area here.

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