Facebook post leads police to man suffering in deplorable conditions; caretaker charged

A New Castle man is accused of neglecting another man who was in his care after the alleged victim pleaded for help on Facebook.

James Heffelfinger, 25, is charged with neglect of care of a dependent person and recklessly endangering another person.

The Facebook post from the alleged victim said, "Help me, I'm being held against my will. … I had my leg taken off and I can’t move. I’m sitting here in my own urine. Call the cops.”

When police arrived Heffelfinger told them in an interview that his duties were to take care of the man and do his shopping

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According to a criminal complaint, the alleged victim had dirty dressing on his recently amputated leg, was also suffering from an open bed sore, and was covered in feces and urine.

Police said the residence was “deplorable,” and the man was lying on a bare hospital bed covered with a dirty sheet.

The man was not able to communicate with police verbally. When asked if he wanted to go to a hospital, he responded with a thumbs-up, according to the criminal complaint.

Heffelfinger is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 17. Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

Cox Media Group