Man Arrested After Police Allege Disabled Mother Was Neglected, Denied Help in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. — A man was arrested after police say a disabled woman was found living in unsanitary conditions and denied proper care inside a Jonesboro residence.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers with the Jonesboro Police Department responded on Feb. 5, 2026, to a welfare concern at a residence on Tealwood Drive. Information provided by the woman’s sister indicated the victim was being neglected by her son and primary caregiver, Daniell Erik Holmes.

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Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and reported immediately encountering an overwhelming odor of human waste in the garage and throughout the home. Police stated they observed piles of bedding and clothing heavily soiled with urine and feces.

Officers located the victim, who is known to be disabled and bedridden, lying in a bed with sheets saturated in urine. The victim told officers that since the death of her husband in December 2025, Holmes had served as her sole caregiver.

According to the affidavit, the victim stated Holmes routinely failed to clean her or change her soiled bedding, forced her to lie in her own waste, and provided insufficient nutrition, noting she had only been given crackers that day.

The victim further told officers that Holmes took her telephone to prevent her from calling for help and said she is afraid of him. She reported that Holmes becomes verbally abusive and aggressive toward her due to involuntary physical movements caused by her disability.

During the investigation, officers reported observing Holmes to be physically unstable, with slurred speech and extremely dilated pupils. Police stated Holmes appeared to be under the influence of an intoxicating substance while responsible for the care of a vulnerable person.

Emergency medical services responded to the scene and conducted a physical evaluation of the victim. Medical staff reportedly discovered extensive rashes and raw, open skin under the victim’s arms and breasts, which were attributed to prolonged exposure to waste and lack of hygiene.

Daniell Erik Holmes, 41, was arrested on charges of abuse of a vulnerable person, a Class D felony, and first-degree interference with a communication device, a misdemeanor.

Bail was set at $150,000 cash or surety by Judge David Boling. A no-contact order with the victim was issued. Holmes is scheduled to appear in court on March 20.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.