Police: Man admits striking 91-year-old, causing internal injuries and death

Landon Terrel, 33, was being held without bond Sunday at the Cobb County jail.

Landon Terrel, 33, was being held without bond Sunday at the Cobb County jail.

A Cobb County caregiver admitted he struck a 91-year-old in the torso, then refused to help the severely injured man, according to police. The elderly man later died from his injuries.

When Adam Bennett was taken to the hospital Tuesday, doctors determined he severe internal injuries, including broken ribs, a lacerated kidney, a punctured lung and bruising, Cobb police said. Bennett died Friday from his injuries, according to Sgt. Dana Pierce.

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Landon Jean Pierre Terrel, a caregiver at an assisted-living center in east Cobb, admitted to police he had hit Bennett, his arrest warrant states. Then, when Terrel refused to help Bennett, who had visible injuries, according to police.

"Accused did admit to choosing not to aid or call for assistance in aiding the pain complaints of the victim,” the warrant states.

At WellStar Kennestone Hospital, doctors called police to report that Bennett’s injuries were not consistent with the information they had been provided, Pierce said.

Terrel, 33, was arrested Tuesday and charged with aggravated battery to a person 65 or older and neglect to an elderly person, Cobb jail records showed. Booking records indicate Terrel is 6-feet-3 and weighs 369 pounds. After Bennett's death, charges were upgraded against Terrel to include felony murder.

Terrel, of Powder Springs, was being held without bond Sunday at the Cobb jail. Anyone with information that could help investigators is asked to call police at 770-499-3945.

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