(Smith County Insider Press) Elmwood, Tenn. – A man was arrested for Elder Abuse following a call to assist Smith County Emergency Medical Services with a patient who had fallen on Saturday, December 17.
Sgt. Junior Fields responded to the call, along with EMS, to assist the patient who had fallen. The patient, Mr. Jack Coffee, advised dispatch that an unknown male was in the living room of the residence, but he would not help him get up. Mr. Coffee further stated he had been on the floor for nearly two hours.
Upon arrival it was learned, that his care giver, identified as Garrett L. Craig, had left the residence to pick up his girlfriend.
It was observed that Mr. Coffee had numerous pill bottles laying around in the residence. Upon inquiring where the medication was, Mr. Coffee stated that he did not know. Mr. Coffee gave consent to search the residence, at which time Sgt. Junior Fields located multiple Fentanyl 100 mg patch box and empty Oxycodone bottles. Upon inquiring as to where they were, Mr. Coffee stated that they were gone. Other medication was also found which indicated that Mr. Coffee had his medication filled on December 3, 2016.
Garrett Craig arrived to talk to Sgt. Fields, who did advise him of his Miranda Rights due to the missing medication. Craig waived his rights and agreed to talk to Sgt. Fields. It was found that Craig had in fact been taking Mr. Coffee’s Oxycodone 15 mg pills.
Craig was in fact neglecting Mr. Coffee by taking his medication at which Mr. Coffee is prescribed.
Craig was placed under arrest and transported to the Smith County Sherriff’s Office for processing.
Garret L Craig was charged with Knowing Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation (Elder Abuse).
Garrett Lee Craig
