Investigators look into suspicious death of elderly woman

From Staff Reports

   Carter County Sheriff's Department investigators are looking into the death of a 77-year-old woman who died after emergency workers found her in a hospital bed in the basement of her home Thursday night.
   According to reports, Felma Jones, of 121 Garrison Hollow, died at Sycamore Shoals Hospital shortly after she was found and trasported there for care.
   CCSD Sheriff John Henson called the death "suspicious" and said that investigators are currently working on solving the case. "We're looking at some suspected abuse," he said.
   An autopsy of Jones' body was ordered by Henson and investigators. "We're waiting on the results to come back," he said. "I'm hoping to get something back in a day or two."
   Charges in the incident are pending the conclusion of the investigation.
   According to reports, the woman was found in the basement of her home by family members and was unresponsive and had shallow respirations. Emergency workers who responded to the scene reported that the woman was in bed with no sheets or blankets.
   The police report also states Jones was covered with flies and was lying in feces and urine. Maggots were also found in the bed with her. She had two, large open wounds on her back, which appeared to be infected. She was also dehydrated and somewhat emaciated, according to reports.
   "I've saw a lot of things in the 32 years that I've been here, but this is a really aggravated situation," Henson said.