Florida Woman Arrested After Locking 77-Year-Old Mother With Dementia in Bedroom, Refusing to Change Her Dirty Diaper
HIALEAH, FLORIDA — A Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly locking her 77-year-old mother with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease inside a bedroom, refusing to clean her or change her diapers after repeated accidents.
49-year-old Janet Edwards faces charges of neglect of an elderly or disabled adult and battery on a person 65 or older, according to an arrest affidavit from the Hialeah Police Department.
Authorities say Edwards’ own children reported the shocking abuse — describing scenes of neglect and humiliation suffered by their grandmother inside the home they shared.
“She’s Going to Learn,” Daughter Allegedly Told Family
The disturbing case came to light after Edwards’ adult son stopped by the home in May 2025 and found his grandmother in horrifying conditions.
When he opened her bedroom door, he saw the elderly woman lying on an air mattress, wearing soiled diapers and holding feces in both hands, police said. The room had no electricity, and the door was locked from the outside.
When he asked his mother to clean the woman, Edwards allegedly refused, saying:
“She’s going to learn because she is always doing this.”
The son told investigators that Edwards routinely left his grandmother in filth and refused to change her, claiming it was a way to “teach her a lesson.”
Shocking Messages and Photos Sent to Family
Police say Edwards’ adult daughter also reported the abuse, providing text messages and photos showing their grandmother’s deteriorating condition.
In one image, the 77-year-old woman could be seen covered in feces, while Edwards allegedly texted that she “smelled s— and was going back to bed.”
Detectives noted that the home’s conditions and Edwards’ statements suggested chronic mistreatment and isolation of the elderly victim.
“The defendant said on five occasions she has seen the victim with feces in her hands and consuming it,” the arrest affidavit stated.
History of Abuse and Neglect Allegations
Investigators also learned that Edwards had a history of abuse allegations, including a previous child welfare case that resulted in her teenage son being removed from her custody years earlier.
Both her son and daughter gave statements describing emotional and physical mistreatment toward their grandmother, including instances where Edwards allegedly slapped the elderly woman and neglected her medical and hygiene needs.
During questioning, Edwards admitted that her mother “does not recognize anyone anymore” due to advanced dementia but claimed she was “frustrated and upset” when she neglected her.
“Asked why she sent those messages and didn’t clean her mother, Edwards said it was because she was upset or frustrated,” police wrote.
Charges and Court Orders
Edwards was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. She was released Wednesday after posting bond and has been ordered to stay away from her mother as she awaits her next court hearing on December 19.
Authorities said the 77-year-old victim is now in protective care under the supervision of adult services.
Elder abuse cases like this can go unreported for years. If you suspect neglect or mistreatment of a senior, contact the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or visit elderaffairs.org.