A pair of Orovada residents have been arrested on charges including elder abuse, according to a Facebook post by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.
On October 3rd the detective division of the HCSO got information that a 65-year-old man was a possible victim of financial fraud.
An investigation found probable cause that the man was being isolated from his family and had been the victim of fraud, elder abuse and the theft of his personal property by 56-year-old Dawson Barnes and 36-year-old Savannah Wilson, both of Orovada.
On October 12th HCSO detectives and deputies contacted the victim through an open window and entered his home when it was determined he was unable to walk.
It was found that the victim was living in unsanitary and unsafe conditions and was malnourished, without having been provided adequate medical care or personal hygiene care.
It was also determined that he had been isolated from his family for around six months, deprived of his cell phone, laptop and any other communication devices.
Due to his condition the man was taken to the Humboldt General Hospital where he was admitted.
During the investigation search warrants were issued for two residences in the Orovada area.
The search warrants resulted in a seizure of a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, stolen property, stolen credit cards and checks, and personal identifying information of the victim, as well as numerous firearms which were being possessed by prohibited persons, including a sawed-off shotgun.
Barnes faces a number of charges, including Abuse of an Older or Vulnerable Person and several fraud, theft, weapons and drug charges. He is being held at the Humboldt County Detention Center on a bail of $258,780.
Wilson was also booked on charges of Abuse of an Older or Vulnerable Person and an array of theft, fraud and drug charges. She is being held on a bail of $58,140.
