CHATTANOOGA, TN — Two Chattanooga men were arrested after police and Adult Protective Services said they found an elderly woman in severe pain, unable to walk, and confined to a chair during a welfare check Wednesday morning. Franklin Kellogg and his son, Patrick Kellogg, each face a charge of aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult.

The Facts

• What: Police and Adult Protective Services said they discovered an elderly woman living in unsafe conditions and in severe pain during a welfare check.
• Where: The case unfolded at a home in Chattanooga.
• When: Officers responded Wednesday morning after a referral alleging severe neglect.
• Who: Franklin Kellogg and Patrick Kellogg were arrested; the woman was identified in the arrest report as Franklin Kellogg’s mother.
• Charges: Each man was charged with aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult.
• Status: Police said both men were detained after consultation with the district attorney’s office, and EMS later entered the home.

What police say

According to the arrest report, Chattanooga police and Adult Protective Services went to the residence after receiving a referral that alleged severe neglect. Police said Franklin Kellogg initially would not let officers or APS workers inside to check on the woman.

Investigators later reported that the woman’s legs were swollen, that she could not walk, and that she was stuck in a chair while crying in pain. Police also said she told them she wanted medical care or to leave the home to stay with other relatives.

The arrest report says the woman told investigators that Franklin Kellogg and Patrick Kellogg had withheld food and needed diabetic medication, thrown cold water on her, and taken away her phone after she told family members about her condition.

Police also said Franklin Kellogg showed officers power of attorney paperwork and stated that EMS would not be allowed to examine or transport the woman. After officers consulted with the district attorney’s office, both men were detained and emergency medical workers were allowed inside.

The investigation

Investigators described the home as dark and unsanitary. Police said the woman’s legs were severely deteriorated, and paramedics had to physically lift her from the chair because of her pain.

In cases like this, police and adult protective agencies typically work together to check a vulnerable adult’s safety, document living conditions, and arrange emergency medical care if needed. Officers may also gather statements from the person involved, family members, and any witnesses before making an arrest.

When officers believe a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, they can seek help from medical personnel and prosecutors to determine what steps are lawful and urgent. Here, police said the district attorney’s office was consulted before both men were detained.

What the charges mean

Aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult is a serious criminal allegation. In general, such charges accuse a caregiver or other responsible person of failing to provide necessary care, protection, or medical attention, or of allowing conditions that put the person at risk of harm.

The exact penalties depend on state law, the facts proven in court, and whether a judge or jury finds the evidence supports the charge. A charge is not a conviction, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.

In many felony cases, the next steps can include booking, a first court appearance, bond decisions, and later hearings where prosecutors must show enough evidence for the case to continue. Defense lawyers can challenge the arrest, the statements, and how investigators handled the scene.

What happens next

No court schedule was included in the arrest report provided by police. The case is likely to move through the local criminal court process, where the charges will be reviewed and the defendants will enter the early stages of the case.

As the matter moves forward, investigators and prosecutors may rely on the arrest report, medical findings, and any additional witness statements to decide how to proceed.

Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).