Police believe a man abandoned his 71-year-old mother in an East Point motel — and went on vacation.

Kathleen Laree, who suffers from dementia, was found wandering in the lobby of the Motel 6 on Virginia Avenue, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Motel employees called 911 and told police Laree’s son, 52-year-old Stephen Haupert, checked her in, paid for one night Sept. 25 and left.

Haupert is wanted on felony charges, the news station reported. Immediately after checking his mother in, saying they were evacuating from Hurricane Irma, Haupert allegedly asked how to get to the airport.

“He was in a really big rush, asking where airport was in relationship to hotel," East Point Det. Ebony Johnson told Channel 2.

Johnson said she contacted Haupert shortly after his mother was found wandering, but he told police he’d done nothing wrong.

He “basically said she’s a big girl and can take care of herself,” Johnson told Channel 2.

But Johnson said Haupert can't just bring someone to a foreign place, drop her off and leave her with nothing. Laree had only a train case with old pictures, one phone number, $20 and a few pair of shorts.

Saint Croix marina police told Channel 2 that Haupert lives in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is away on vacation.

His mother remains in the custody of adult protective services, police said.

Want more stories like this one? Go to www.myajc.com/crime/

In other news:

Woman Granted Paid Leave to Care For Ailing Pet

About the Author

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com