Wilmington, North Carolina caretaker caught on video forcing elderly man (suffering dementia) with soiled diaper to walk street to teach him lesson. Episode leads to New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office getting involved. Viral video shared by neighbor, Jonathan Pigford who is captured having terse conversation with female caregiver (id as his sister).
A Wilmington, North Carolina caretaker is alleged to have forced an elderly man suffering dementia to walk along the street in a soiled diaper as punishment according to viral video.
According to footage shared (see below) by Jonathan Pigford, the elderly un-identified man is seen forced to walk outside in cool weather, wearing only an orange shirt and a heavily soiled adult diaper.
Wilmington neighbor goes on mission to help elderly man
Pigford stated finding the man on the street before helping him return home. It was while doing so, Pigford met the man’s alleged caregiver, a woman, (since identified as the elderly man’s sister) who told him to return the elderly man to the street to teach him ‘a lesson.’
The meeting led to words being exchanged.
‘You’re just using him for your check,’ Pigford tells the woman, while adding that he intended to notify authorities.
In another video, after their dispute, Pigford explained that at the end of the day, all he cares about is the elder man’s health.
‘At the end of the day, I just want him to be safe and have his last days be glorious,’ he stated.
Social media responds to elder abuse
Pigford indicated that this was not an isolated case. According to the Good Samaritan, a neighbor had seen the man being washed with a garden hose in the backyard.
Pigford added that Social Services contacted him after his video going viral as he seeks to petition having the elderly man relocated to a more comfortable place or even provide him with better healthcare.
Not surprisingly the incident led to uproar on social media.
Stated one commentator, ‘I’m a caregiver and this broke my heart! Thank you for standing up for him. Has he been removed from her care?’
Wrote another, ‘Thank YOU for caring about the dignity and safety of an elderly man in your neighborhood! It’s people like you who show compassion and decency that remind us of the good in the world!’
Stated another, ‘This is elder abuse. Hopefully, they called police and senior services.’
‘Help My Elderly Neighbor Find Safety,’
Posted Pigford in a GoFundme fundraiser titled, ‘Help My Elderly Neighbor Find Safety,’ For the past eight years, I have lived next to my elderly neighbor and have grown to care deeply about his well-being. Over time, I have witnessed several troubling instances of mistreatment by his caregiver, but a recent event has made it clear that immediate action is needed.
Just two days ago, I recorded a heartbreaking video of him, soaking wet in a diaper, being made to walk down the street alone. He has dementia and had wandered off, only to be left to find his way back by himself. The video has since gone viral, and authorities are now involved to address the situation.
Seeing him in such distress broke my heart, and I knew I had to do something to help. My goal is to ensure he is removed from this unsafe environment and given the care and dignity he deserves. The funds raised through this campaign will go directly toward his daily needs—providing him with comfort, safety, and the essentials he requires to live with dignity in his final days.
I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers from the community. Your support means the world, and together, we can make sure he is safe and well cared for.
In an update, New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office indicated that they were now investigating the case.
It remained unclear if the female caretaker would now face charges.
