HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Hagerstown Police Department arrested three people for allegedly assaulting and attempting to murder a 96-year-old woman.
Hagerstown Police were called to a home on Marshall Street on March 7 where they found the woman with severe lacerations and bruises to her head, neck, and face. Officers said the woman claimed a man had come to her home and had tried to kill her.
Court documents revealed the elderly woman approached the front door when she heard the screen door opening. She recalled a masked man shoving her to the ground and placing his hands over her neck and mouth. She felt he was trying to kill her as she was struggling to breathe.
Upon further investigation, detectives learned Angel Parker, 33, of Hagerstown, had been providing home health care assistance to the woman and had become aware of a large sum of money in the house.
Hagerstown Police alleged that Parker crafted a plan with her boyfriend 23-year-old Jacob Kitch-Nordsick and 23-year-old Taylor Alexander to steal the $10,000 in cash stashed in a box.
Surveillance videos from Scott's Speed Shop next door captured two of the trio approaching the woman’s house. The court document said Parker stayed outside and appeared to act as a lookout.
"I can't believe anyone is cold enough to do something like that," Scott's Speed Shop owner Scott Hoffman said. "I hope they rot in hell. That's the only thing I can say."
The victim has since been treated and released from the hospital. WUSA9 briefly spoke to her more than a week later. She still has visible signs of bruises around her neck and face. The elderly woman was also wearing the home health alert necklace she used to press and contact 911 when the suspects left.
"It may have saved her life," Washington County Dept. of Social Services Director Mike Piercy said. "These technologies can be critical in these types of things."
Piercy said among elder abuse being a problem, financial exploitation targeting the elderly has seen a 25% increase over the years in Washington County.
He strongly urged people to conduct a background check, to run the person's name against the Maryland Judicial Case Search, and determine if the individual is with a reputable licensed agency.
“We are extremely grateful that this brave woman was not more seriously injured or killed,” a Hagerstown Police statement reads. “HPD would like to acknowledge responding officers and EMTs that provided initial treatment and the swift work of HPD detectives. All three subjects have been arrested and are held without bond.”
Both Parker and Kitch-Nordsick were charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, among other charges.
Kitch-Nordsick claimed to police that he just held the door open when Alexander "went haywire."
Alexander also faces several charges including first- and second-degree assault and robbery and theft.
If you do suspect someone of being abused, neglected or exploited, call 1-800-91-PREVENT