Palm Springs Police, along the Coachella Valley Narcotics Task Force, arrested six people on elder abuse and drug charges after an 80-year-old woman was found living in deplorable living conditions in a home where drugs were also present, according to police.
Authorities served a search warrant at a home on East Mesquite Avenue. In a statement, police say there were 12 people inside of the home when the warrant was served. Police seized heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana from the home.
During the investigation, police determined that the 80 year old female homeowner, who suffered from undisclosed medical issues, was being allowed to live in conditions that could cause great bodily harm or death to her. Cops claim there was dog feces throughout the home, electricity did not work in much of the house, and there was hardly any food. The woman was supposed to have been cared for by her adult son and adult granddaughter.
The 80 year-old victim was transported in stable condition to a local hospital and Palm Springs Animal Control seized seven dogs that were not being cared for. The dogs were taken to a local animal shelter. Police are still determining if felony animal cruelty violations will be charged to anyone.
The six suspects were arrested and charged with the following:
Scott Richard Fowler, 59 years old, Palm Springs
Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse-Felony
Terri Rae Fowler, 32 years old, Palm Springs
Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse-Felony
Martin Martinez Perez, 31 years old, Transient
Probation Violation-Felony
Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia-Misdemeanor
Melissa Campos, 26 years old, Palm Springs
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Narcotics Paraphernalia
Roy Richard Hoffman, 46 years old, Cathedral City
Possession of a Controlled Substance-Misdemeanor
Benjamin Anthony Salgado, 26 years old, Palm Springs
Possession of a Controlled Substance-Misdemeanor
