BY DAN HILDEBRAN
A Keystone Heights woman was sentenced to three years’ probation and prohibited from caring for elderly people after pleading to two counts of elderly neglect.
Sarah Early, 46, was arrested by Bradford deputies on March 31, 2025, after the victims said she abandoned her responsibilities as their primary caregiver soon after they granted her power of attorney.
According to an arrest report, one male victim was confined to a wheelchair following a stroke and had limited use of the left side of his body. He said he had not had a bath in two weeks and had been wearing a soiled adult diaper for a week and a half.
“(The victim) also stated that he was insulin-dependent, and Sarah had not been downstairs in at least two days to provide any prescribed medicine,” wrote deputy Michael Gillick in the arrest report. “(The victim) was utilizing empty plastic bottles to urinate to prevent urinating on himself.”
Another female victim reported that Early intentionally left the downstairs windows open overnight when the temperature dropped to 40 degrees. The victim added that the controls for the heater were upstairs and that, being confined to a bed and wheelchair, she had no way to reach the controls. She also said she was dependent on several prescription medications and was unable to take them due to the defendant’s lack of care.
Gillick confirmed that the downstairs windows were open and that upon his arrival, the temperature was 60 degrees. He added that the male victim’s bed, wheelchair, and person were covered in fecal matter.
According to Gillick, Early told him that she had been the couple’s sole caregiver, and they required care 24-7.
“Sarah stated that she stopped providing care for (the couple) about three days ago when paramedics told her that she wasn’t responsible for them,” wrote Gillick. “Since that time, she had provided no medical or hygiene care for either party.”
