(Memphis) A Memphis woman has been charged with leaving her disabled daughter in a car while police say she was doing drugs in a home in the 1300 block of Wells Station.
Police say it was the woman’s own boyfriend who called police .
The man said Cotten’s 20-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy, was in the backseat of a car.
When police arrived, they found Rebecca Cotton in the back of a 2002 Monte Carlo.
“When I got up I saw lots of policemen over there,” said neighbor Felicia Smith.
Police say the windows were rolled up, the engine was off and it was a very hot day.
According to court records, the disabled woman had soiled diapers and was sweating in the back seat.
When she was taken to La Bonheur Children’s Hospital a nurse described her as “severely malnourished.”
“You can tell she’s disabled by looking at her,” said Susie Nall, who works at Greater United Christian Church on Wells Station.
Nall works for the church right next to the house.
She said she only met Cotten and her daughter once, and had no idea any abuse was going on.
“There are no windows on the other side (of the church) so you really can’t see,” said Nall. “You can’t see anything on the other side.”
Susie and other people in this North Memphis neighborhood say they hope something is done for the daughter who needs special care.
“I don’t know what they can do but they really need to do something about that because that’s not fair to the child when somebody is on drugs,” said Smith.
“They can’t take care of themselves much less take care of someone who is disabled,” said Nall.
Jennifer Cotten said she had been at the home for two days.
Cotten has been charged with adult abuse, neglect and exploitation. Her bond has been set at $5,000.
We are still waiting on word from police where the daughter is now. If you know of a disabled adult who may be neglected or abused, social workers urge you to call Adult Protective Services.
