Case expands in abuse of mentally ill; Sheriff Jud Smith calls in GBI to probe multi-county personal care system

One Barrow County man remained behind bars early this week after he allegedly dumped four mentally ill patients last Friday at a Winder home that had no heat. This week, the investigation into what appears to be the physical, financial and psychological abuse of several mentally ill patients expanded when Sheriff Jud Smith asked the GBI to get involved since some of the people connected to the incident are in Gwinnett County and as far away as Villa Rica in West Georgia.

Arrested by the Winder Police Department Friday night was Marlo Kenneth Yarbrough, 41, of Barrow County. Yarbrough was charged with multiple counts of reckless conduct and the neglect and exploitation of disabled adults for having dumped the four mentally ill patients in an apparent attempt to avoid their detection at an unlicensed personal care home in Barrow County. Several other people may also soon face charges in the case.

The sheriff announced the state’s involvement at a press conference Tuesday following an emergency meeting of top law enforcement officials, prosecutors and GBI agents at the Winder Police Department.

Jim Fullington, the special agent in charge of the Athens GBI office, said that while the investigation was only beginning, every legal avenue would be pursued. He said this is not the first time Georgia has had problems with such community-based operations.

He urged the public to notify law enforcement agencies about anything unusual going on at a neighbor’s house, or if an adult obviously in need of assistance is seen wandering alone outside.

Fullington also said every agency representative at Tuesday morning’s meeting was united in urging families to carefully check out facilities and programs before entrusting to them disabled loved ones.

For this and related stories, see the Nov. 16 issue of the Barrow Journal.

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#1 question? on 11/16/11 at 10:41 AM

so were the disabled persons renting a home?

if they were just renting then the heat issue first off in Georgia is not part of the Law.

they had electricity and running water.

I am lead to believe they were renting rather then living in asst'd living site due to the fact these disabled persons according to the article were receiving EBT benefits also if they were get EBT bennies the food issue is more on them, then this fella who may have been renting to disabled person, also maybe they though this guy were introduced to someone to help them if they had issues, this I suspect was more of a group of disabled yet not Incompetent persons, free to make the choice to leave at anytime or end agreement to deal with this person.

I hope this arrest does not result in landlords not wanting to rent to disabled persons, also I hope that like my landlord when I moved to Barrow county suggested a caretaker for my mother that he does not stop doing this in fear he be hel accountable in the event someones family member does not like him.

I think this issue is more about railroading this landlord then about making sure the persons who are alleged victims here, are made to feel they do not have freedom and choice.

At any time the family of these people or these persons could have made a choice to end the relationship they made a choice to enter into.

according to the story the were not under guardianship of either family or the land lord.

So every time a group of person that appear to be disabled try to rent place together will the landlord have to worry if the sheriff is going to come arrest him if the group mebers have issues?

I hope not and I suspect that will be the case though, having many Hearing impaired friends they already have troubles finding places, also some people because they do not speak think the are mentally slow, and yes many of them live in groups rent property together and hire others to take them shopping or make meals. this doesnt mean they are forced to do this or that they can not tell this person to hit the road....... so aggravated that this may cause not only these people to be homeless but in future limit willingness of other landlords to rent to disabled persons!!!!

#1.1 Hugo on 11/16/11 at 11:50 AM

Thats all well and good, but those homes are zoned "single family residence" for a reason...

#1.2 Mike Buffington, Publisher on 11/16/11 at 12:05 PM

I started to take this post down because you have no idea what you're commenting on. The full story on this will be in tonight print edition.
I suggest that before you make a comment on this sad situation, you read the full story in print. This story is not about "railroading" the landlord. There's a lot to this and these innocent people were being abused.
Come on bloggers, don't just spout off with your crazy comments without reading all the facts. I'm allowing this comment to stay for now as a warning of the kind of comments that should not be made until you know the full story.

#1.2.1 I on 11/16/11 at 12:35 PM

Was commenting on what was in the story to date, also I still understand that there may or may not be a court date on this, Waiting to hear and read more!

#1.2.2 John Wages on 11/16/11 at 05:48 PM

Thank you for not deleting the comment..........We all need to be heard. They made so good points.

#1.2.3 Anonymous on 11/17/11 at 05:52 AM

Thank you Mr. Buffington! Robin

#1.3 John Wages on 11/16/11 at 03:54 PM

I can appreciate your comment. This service is much needed. There are individuals that can't live by themselves and don't need to be put in an lock down situation. They just need someone who is willing to give them direction. Not HOUSED and left alone.

#1.4 Howdy on 11/17/11 at 05:13 AM

not renting-were moved to this house hours before to hide them--I can only believe that you would not get any facts staight-so I will not waste my time--Forrest Gump apparently knew you ----stupid is as stupid does.

By the way, never mind do not think youwant to understand--MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND THAT LACK OF THOUGHT PROCESS

#2 really on 11/16/11 at 12:03 PM

but if the county enforced that law no bank or mortgage company would touch them, also being zoned single family is not enforceable if all members living somehow related.

the reason banks wouldnt touch them is because then when single family defaulted on the loans the banks would have hard time renting the properties they own by default out.....

truth is unless someone has personal beef there are all kinds of roomates and friends and families living together here in Barrow county, why cause money is getter harder and harder to come by!!!!! So the real question is how many unsaleable homes does Barrow county want and how many unrented places due to landlords fear of a sheriff on a mission!!!

I own a home it shouldnt be anyones business if I have friends family whoever I can stand come visit or live, as long as I can stand it!!

by the way I can not stand visitors for more then a day and less if I can help it, but the Sheriff has no business worrying who I choose to let stay if one day i decide to let people stay!!!

#2.1 Howdy on 11/17/11 at 04:53 AM

are you unable to understand anything-this was a non licensed business that meet no qualification, were distributing MEDS(some were nocotics) and at times giving meds of one personto another-the man arrested is not a doctor-MEDS are very dangerous to mentally ill if not given MEDS correctly. Sounds like you want to make a mountain out of a mole hill when it comes to law enforcement doing their job helping save those who can not help themselves. Maybe you need to fix your phone where it will not dial 911. But you will be the first to call for help-maybe they will not come so you can see how these people felt

#2.1.1 meds on 11/17/11 at 06:00 AM

are given all the time by non doctors medtechs there is no certification or training standard for a med tech.

#3 WOW on 11/16/11 at 07:45 PM

Mike let me see if I can help you out. This story is not about a homeowner renting a room to a friend or several people renting a home together. This is about homeowners posing as legitimate care takers and through legitimate organizations having mentally ill people move in with them. I sure they are making a decent living by doing this probably through medicade or medicare payments. Once the mentally ill move in, they are mistreated and not properly taken care of. On top of that they are running a business out of their home and it is not properly zoned for commercial nor approved by the state. I'm sure if you are going to operate a facility to care for the mentally ill there are many qualifications that need to be met, such as medical personal at the location to administer medication and facility inspections to ensure the environment is clean. Don't worry about the Sheriff coming into your home because you have someone renting a room. Please read the story before you comment.

#3.1 Lisa on 11/16/11 at 08:33 PM

Well said. Bravo!!!!

#3.2 Anonymous on 11/17/11 at 05:59 AM

WOW Thank you for having a BRAIN, unlike some of your neighbors!!!

#4 I dont on 11/16/11 at 11:59 PM

think so since if one is in assisted living or more severe they do not receive EBT!

I do not think this is what it is being portrayed.

I think this more closely is group of persons with SSA benifits that where introduced maybe even directed together but wanted more freedom and choice then a assisted living site would offer.

So they probablt get lot cheaper rates, some pocket money and food stamps, rather then almost no money, curfews and someone only buying food for the group rather then exh persons in the group having EBT and freedoms to come or go as pleased.

The stor is based on the Sheriff and the family of one or two persons living there who may have decided freedom wasnt what they wanted.

I dont think disabled persons should be subject to INSPECTIONS of where they make a choice to live by anyone in govt unless they are the ones requesting this.

I wonder aside from the emotional charges in this case what really happened and if this being a Govt or Govt licensed group sending persons to these so called business will the Govt employees be arrested and charged? since this group seemed to get people sent to them according to the story

#5 Howdy on 11/17/11 at 05:06 AM

I was there, my step son was there,was referred their by a very reputable health facility, COPS DID NOT GO UNTIL I CALLED THEM,after my step son called and and advised that they had been moved, no food,no heat, no fridge,no MEDS and they did not know where they were abd were scared. The cops had no idea thiswas going on, my step son walked down the street and got a street name and house next door street #. THERE GOES YOUR BS THEORY THAT THEY WANTED TO BE THERE--YOU SHOULD PRAISE YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT-nice to know that you have no thought pattern--Ps:forget 911, you apparently do not have a clue

#6 Involved on 11/17/11 at 05:55 AM

I am personally involved and I can 100% tell you, this was not just a bunch of mentally ill people just leaving together to share expenses. We didn't pay them $600.00 a month just for a place to live.My relative only receives around $604.00 in disability benefits. We were told it was 24 hour supervised care, three meals a day, and medication control among MANY, MANY other things.
This place was highly recommended by a facility when my relative was discharged.
I'm not going to go into every detail but they took all her EBT money AND the full $600.00 for the month so now they have nothing to live on at the moment. They are by definiton homeless (but not on the street). We are having a very hard time finding a place. There just are so few resources available for low income, mentally ill adults who just need a little help.
About the EBT/Food stamps-they told us it was a requirement to live there and they would be completing the application online, on her behalf.

#6.1 Anonymous on 11/17/11 at 06:09 AM

Same here involved, I am also involved. This is my SON. I was painted beautiful picture, handed business cards that stated to be a 24 hour medically, licenced facility. If no one has ever had a mentally disabled love one, they just don't seem to understand. Yes the entire story needs to be read and lived to understand completely. The fact of the matter is that I hope this will open ALL families eyes to how easily our disadvantaged loved ones can be used. It certainly has opened MINE! Robin

#6.2 John Wages on 11/22/11 at 12:20 PM

Where are the victims now? Who is caring for them? What are the families going to do? Just asking.

#7 welll on 11/17/11 at 08:59 AM

so is this one going to be over zealous will HHA stop coming to barrow county!

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Case expands in abuse of mentally ill; Sheriff Jud Smith calls in GBI to ...

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Case expands in abuse of mentally ill; Sheriff Jud Smith calls in GBI to probe multi-county personal care system

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