South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agents arrested a married couple in Saluda, S.C. today in connection with the death of the man’s father, according to a news release from the agency.
Donald R. Chewning, 51, and Kathy Laine Chewning, 48, have each been charged with abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. That’s a felony charge – one that carries with it a prison term of up to thirty years.
According to a probable cause affidavit submitted along with warrants for the Chewnings’ arrest, the couple “knowingly and willfully” abused and neglected Donald Chewning’s father – James Boyd Chewning – between November 1-2 of this year.
Chewning was 79 years old.
“The victim was battered, restrained to a bed using zip ties and rags and duct tape were used to cover the victim’s mouth and eyes,” the warrant stated.
Terrible …
Both Chewnings are currently being held at the Saluda County detention center. Their cases will be tried by the office of S.C. eleventh circuit solicitor Rick Hubbard.
Here’s the release from SLED with the warrants and affidavits attached …
(Click to view)
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(Via: SLED)
Like any suspects accused of committing any crime, the Chewnings are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a jury of their peers (or until they make a public pleading in connection with the case).
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