Marietta police have arrested a caregiver accused of allowing drug activity in the home of his disabled patient.
James Menefee was hired to maintain the residence and be the man’s 24-hour caregiver, Marietta police Officer Jared Rakestraw said Thursday.
Menefee was allowed to live at the home in the 300 block of Avery Street due to the level of care the man required. The patient is 72 years old, confined to a wheelchair and relies on people to carry him in and out of his residence, Rakestraw said.
According to police, the patient’s brother learned Menefee was using the house against their agreed terms and fired him in mid-April.
“Menefee refused to leave the home and continued behaving in a manner which caused” the brother to fear for the patient’s safety, Rakestraw said.
The brother removed him from the home and Menefee still refused to leave, police said.
Adult Protective Services reported the incident to Marietta police.
“Due to a reported weapon and alleged drug activity at the residence,” Rakestraw said, “a no-knock provision was obtained.”
The Marietta Police Department’s SWAT team executed that warrant Wednesday and found Menefee at the home.
He was arrested on a charge of elder exploitation and was being held Thursday at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center in lieu of $22,000 bond.
About the Author
