S. Ind. caregiver arrested in woman's death

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) - On Saturday Bloomington police arrested 52-year-old Kenneth Aker J.R. for neglecting his patient, a 53-year-old woman with cerebral palsy. 

“It was determined that he was in-fact neglectful to the patient at minimum caused serious bodily injury and may have actually contributed to her death,” said Captain Joe Qualters with the Bloomington Police Department,

Police say on Saturday morning, Aker called an ambulance after the woman had difficulty breathing. The victim suffered a heart attack onboard the ambulance, was revived, then passed away only minutes later.    

Qualters said the bed ridden victim lived with Aker for several years. when he took her to the hospital, doctors said she had bed sores all the way to the bone.

The victim had deep soars that ran from her lower back to her legs and showed signs of malnutrition.

Aker is facing felony charges for neglect and could face even more charges.  

Aker worked for LifeDesigns, a business that provided the in-home care.

The company issued a statement that said in part:

We are fully cooperating with authorities and have made reports to all of the appropriate governmental agencies. LifeDesigns is committed to a thorough and in-depth investigation of this incident.

The Monroe County Coroner has done an autopsy but is awaiting toxicology results before releasing any information.