A former live-in caretaker was in custody Thursday, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and other charges after authorities allegedly found a paraplegic man with a disassembled ventilator.
Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station deputies received a report of dependent care abuse in the 30100 block of Rim Rock Place at approximately 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department statement.
Arriving deputies spoke to the doctor of the paraplegic man, whom she described as “dependent on 24-hour care and requires a ventilator to breathe,” according to the statement. She said that 55-year-old local resident Richard Emmons’ employment as a caretaker had been terminated the day before he allegedly took apart the respiratory device.
Emmons was transported to the Lake Elsinore Station for further investigation, according to the statement. Inmate records show that he was arrested in the evening and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center the next day on suspicion of attempted murder, torture and dependent care abuse.
An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information was encouraged to contact Investigator Topete of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.