A second person is facing charges in Freeborn County District Court in connection with the alleged neglectful treatment of an adult in Albert Lea.

Shawntaya Latrice Butler, 32, is charged with felony criminal neglect. Her first appearance on the charge is scheduled for Dec. 28.

Michelle Renee Dawes is also charged with felony neglect in connection with the case. Her first appearance is scheduled for Dec. 14.

Court documents state Butler and Dawes were charged after an Albert Lea Police Department detective and an Adult Protective Services professional visited an Albert Lea address Sept. 26 after receiving a report of possible financial abuse of a vulnerable adult. Dawes reportedly failed to pay the bills for the adult, so the services for the adult were being discontinued.

Upon arriving, he vulnerable adult was described as “pale,” “gray,” “very thin,” “malnourished,” “dehydrated” and needing medical assistance. 

Butler was reportedly the personal care attendant for the alleged victim and said she provided the adult help with grocery shopping, preparing meals, cleaning and making sure the woman took her medications and wore clean clothes.

Court documents state Dawes admitted owing money for services provided by Butler to the adult, and the adult’s account was overdrawn. Purchases allegedly could not be attributed to the adult.

Dawes reportedly failed to turn in paperwork regarding the person’s case.

Court documents state when Butler was interviewed, she said she had not worked for the adult in the last two weeks because she was told there were no paid services. Homecare professionals reportedly tried to contact Butler and Dawes once insurance payments resumed, but they could not be reached.

Butler said the adult moved downstairs when services stopped, but that account was reportedly conflicted by accounts offered by other people.

Medication bottles were reportedly on a small cupboard and strewn across the floor. Empty plastic soda bottles and other items were found, including a raw meat package, and fruit flies and bed bugs were in the apartment.

Court documents state when the vulnerable adult was evaluated in late September, she had lost nearly 20 pounds in about 1 1/2 months and had severe anemia, cachexia, severe malnutrition, CAD and heart failure.

Felony criminal neglect carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.