2 face elderly abuse charges

RUSSELLVILLE — Two women are facing elder abuse charges among other charges after a 66-year-old woman was found dead inside her home.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said deputies were called to a residence on the 7100 block of Alabama Highway 48 outside of the city limits to do a welfare check on a family member.

Oliver said when deputies arrived at the residence a woman told deputies she was OK.

“We then got a call from one of her caretakers about 12 hours later that the woman was dead,” he said.

A deputy’s deposition indicates that Christine M. Cox was found dead inside the residence.

Elder abuse was considered by the deputy when he indicated that the woman had been found to remain seated in her own feces and urine for long periods of time.

“Malnutrition and unsanitary conditions” are believed to have contributed to the factors that accelerated or played a part in Cox’s death, according to the deposition.

Edith Denise Avery, 58, who was believed to be a caretaker of Cox, was arrested and charged with second-degree elder abuse and neglect, unlawful possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamines), unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree theft of property, promoting prison contraband, and certain persons forbidden to carry a pistol.

Avery was found to have meth on her person when she was booked into the Franklin County Jail.

The 9mm firearm, which deputies found Avery in possession of, belonged to Cox.

Another alleged caretaker, Cristy Machelle Baker, also was arrested and charged with seconddegree elder abuse, and third-degree financial exploitation of the elderly.

“We believe both of these women were taking advantage of [Cox] and stealing from her,” Oliver. “One of the women was found with a backpack of items which belonged to the person they allegedly cared for.”

Baker, 42, also was found to have a debit card belonging to Cox.

Oliver said video footage shows Baker going to an ATM and withdrawing $200 from Cox’s account using her debit card.

Oliver said Avery and Baker are both known to deputies within the sheriff’s office.

“We’ve dealt with them before on other things,” he said.

Avery was booked into the Franklin County Jail on a $15,000 bond. Baker was booked into the jail on a $10,000 bond.

Avery is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 21.