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Shelby Co. woman, man accused of not feeding himself, used zip ties to restrain relative with Down syndrome

Shelby Co. woman, man accused of not feeding himself, used zip ties to restrain relative with Down syndrome

WILSONVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – A Shelby County woman and man are accused of neglecting and abusing an intellectually disabled family member in their care.

Cora June Morris is accused of using zip ties to hold her relative to a table “for hours, injuring her arm” and failing to feed her to the point she became malnourished, according to court records. The footage also shows that James Thomas Moss used zip ties to restrain the woman on a patio for hours, injuring her.

According to the investigators, the victim has Down syndrome.

This investigation began in September when the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) of possible abuse.

A sheriff’s office spokesman said DHR removed the victim from Morris’ care. Deputies did not have an immediate update on her condition.

Morris and Moss are both charged with abuse/neglect-physical injury Alabama Code 38-9-7dealing with the protection of older adults or adults with disabilities. This charge is a Class B felony and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate this case to determine how long the suspected abuse took place and if more charges are warranted.

The Owens home also assisted in the investigation, according to deputies.

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