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Caregiver Arrested After Elderly Woman Found Covered in Insects and Feces

On Friday, July 18, 2025, St. Lucie County deputies arrested Melanie Hess, 56, after finding an elderly disabled woman in hazardous conditions at a home on Orange Avenue.
Deputies responded to a welfare check prompted by concerns about the woman’s wellbeing, leading to the discovery of severe neglect and unsanitary conditions in the home.
The woman weighed about 90 pounds, lived in a house without running water, with a collapsing roof and walls, insect infestation, numerous cats, and was covered in feces.
Melanie Hess was arrested on charges related to the mistreatment of an elderly disabled woman, classified as neglect without serious injury, and is currently held at the St. Lucie County Jail; deputies observed that Hess appeared to be clean and adequately nourished despite the circumstances.
The elderly woman was transported to a hospital for a medical assessment, and the investigation into the case is ongoing, highlighting continued examination of elder care practices in the county.

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Caregiver arrested after elderly woman found covered in insects and feces

FT. PIERCE, Fla. (WFLA) — A caregiver in Florida was charged after an elderly woman was found severely neglected during a welfare check, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies went to the residence on July 18 to perform a welfare check and discovered the woman living in "extremely hazardous and unsanitary conditions." The woman was only around 90 pounds and had insects crawling in her hair and on her body, deputies said. While the …

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