Two caregivers charged with neglect in Carter County

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — Two caregivers were arrested following an investigation into reports of neglect involving a vulnerable adult in Carter County, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

Last week, a Carter County grand jury indicted Kwabena Kwakye, 45, and Polly Ridinger, 25, on one count each of neglect of a vulnerable adult, according to the TBI.

The TBI’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division launched an investigation into the two caregivers, who were employed by Support Solutions of Greeneville, in March after receiving a referral from Adult Protective Services about alleged neglect involving an adult in Elizabethton.

Investigators determined that on March 17, Kwakye, while employed as a caregiver, was involved in a car crash with the victim and left the scene to avoid authorities, according to the TBI. He was later found by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and reportedly charged with traffic and drug offenses.

The TBI received another report of neglect involving the same victim in May. According to the agency, an investigation determined that Ridinger, while employed as a caregiver, failed to watch the victim, which led to him urinating on himself, removing his clothes, and leaving the home. She reportedly did not know the victim was locked out of the home until another staff member arrived.

Kwakye and Ridinger were arrested Tuesday and booked into the Carter County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

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