A note from an 81-year-old resident of a retirement home led to the arrest of a caregiver.
A mail carrier discovered the alarming note, prompting Florida police to detain the caregiver.
The note simply stated, ‘call the police’, written by a man who wishes to remain anonymous.
It was revealed that Denise Williams, a 60-year-old caregiver, allegedly assaulted and attempted to strangle the elderly man.
Williams had been employed as the man’s live-in caregiver for around two and a half years, earning $2,000 monthly.
To alert someone, the man affixed the note to his mailbox, where it was found by a mail carrier.
He told LOCAL 12 that Williams allegedly became infuriated over the bathroom’s condition and used both hands to strangle him.
“She got on me, on top of me, started grabbing my hand that had the cell phone as I was calling the police,” he recounted to the outlet.
“I couldn’t call the police because she grabbed it.”
When questioned if he believed she intended to kill him, he responded: “No. She was just angry.”
The man described how Williams allegedly confiscated his cell phone and two landline phones to prevent him from reaching out to the authorities.
He also alleged that Williams locked his car keys in her room and took his credit card and checkbook before departing.
With no means to contact help, the man resorted to writing the note noticed by the mail carrier.
After consulting with a supervisor, the mail carrier contacted the police, who then located and arrested Williams.
Regarding the mail carrier’s actions, the man expressed: “I’m very very happy for that.”
Williams is now facing charges including elderly exploitation, battery, and witness tampering.
“I’m sorry for her, I really am,” stated the man, a veteran and widower.
“Because she has no place to go right now other than where she’s going after she gets out of the hospital.”
Police have confirmed that Williams is hospitalized, with a court date scheduled for January 29.