CASSELBERRY, Fla. – A hired caretaker in Central Florida is facing criminal charges after police said he left a developmentally disabled man alone at a park during cold, rainy weather while sitting in his car smoking marijuana.
According to a Casselberry police report, concern began at Secret Lake Park after staff members at a nearby senior center reported seeing the man left alone for extended periods by his caregiver, identified as Erickson Daniley.
Staff members told police they first encountered the pair at the senior center before asking them to leave after long periods of possible abandonment. Later, employees said they spotted the man and caretaker again across the park. However, they would see the man sitting alone under a pavilion and contacted authorities out of concern for possible neglect.
Police said officers found the disabled man sitting by himself under the pavilion while Daniley remained inside a nearby vehicle smoking marijuana.
The man told officers he was physically not hurt but said he wanted Daniley to stop smoking and vaping around him, according to the report.
Investigators said Daniley told officers he was affiliated with Savana Inc., the man’s care facility. When News 6 questioned about the company case, a supervisor at the company’s listed address said Daniley worked through a third-party agency.
However, when contacted by phone, that agency denied employing Daniley and said he worked directly for Savana Inc.
Further questions about how the company plans to ensure proper supervision and care were not immediately answered. A Savana Supervisor News 6 spoke with said she would need to speak with her supervisor before commenting further.
Daniley is facing charges of neglect of an elderly or disabled adult.
The police report also noted that family members recently observed significant behavioral changes in the disabled man, including difficulty sleeping and attempts to inhale rubber gloves.
Court records show Daniley is scheduled to appear in court next month.
Officials with both companies had not provided additional comment as of Friday.