PORT NECHES, Texas — 25-year-old Logan Birdsong was arrested and charged with murder Thursday. He admitted to hitting his father three times resulting in the death of 69-year-old Roy Allen Birdsong.
According to Port Neches Police, Birdsong said he had struck his father before out of frustration from dealing with his father's struggle with Parkinson's. Which is something Media Relations Director of the Department of Family and Protective Services, Melissa Gonzales says happens all too often.
"People can see the physical signs of what's been happening, so bruises, cuts or scratches or maybe they're afraid, or they're agitated or anxious when they're around a certain person. There is stress added to meeting another person's daily needs," Gonzales told 12News.
Gonzales says that elderly abuse isn't only restricted to physical violence. It's often neglect that is the most common form of elder mistreatment.
"Neglect is a lack of necessities they need. Food, clean water, safe shelter, clean clothing. Signs of neglect can be the adult not having the appropriate medication, if their living area is extremely dirty, if their hygiene is very poor or they appear to be losing weight or are very underweight," Gonzales said.
Financial exploitation is also a common danger in cases such as these.
"that can look like sudden, unexplained large expenses, or changes to banking habits that are unusual." said Gonzales
Gonzales says it is important to recognize these signs and know when to get help.
"You report your suspicions to the Texas abuse hotline and you can reach it 24 hours a day. we don't recommend not taking action because of the what-if's."