CHICAGO (STMW) – A south suburban woman has been charged with repeatedly beating an elderly relative who she was living with in unsanitary conditions, the Cook County Sheriff’s office announced Saturday.

Denise Thomas, 49, of Ford Heights, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery to a person over 60, according to a sheriff’s release.

A friend of the elderly victim contacted police after learning the 81-year-old victim had been struck by Thomas and that the two were living together in unhealthy conditions, according to the release.

On April 15th, when Cook County Sheriff’s Police patrol officers entered the home they found squalid conditions, with animal feces, urine, trash and clothing covering the living areas, kitchen and bedroom. The home also had no running water or heat, and the food in the refrigerator was spoiled because there was no electricity, the release said.

The victim told police that on April 14th he returned from the store with Thomas, and she parked the car in the driveway. The victim did not recall an argument, but says he remembers Thomas accusing him of talking too much and repeatedly striking him in the back with a stick as he attempted to leave her car, the release said.

After speaking with the victim, officers transported him to St. James Hospital and Health Centers to be check out.

Later that day, investigators arrested Thomas when she arrived at the hospital to see the victim.

Thursday, investigators with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Animal Crimes Unit and Cook County Code Enforcement returned to the victim’s 13-acre property, where he kept some livestock and based on the unsanitary conditions on the property, and officers removed a pregnant mare suffering from edema; another mare bloated due to parasites, along with her newborn foal; and a goat in unhealthy condition, the release said.

None of the animals had food or water, and their stalls were filthy. The animals were transported by Forest View Farms to their facility located in Oak Forest.

Thomas is scheduled to appear in the Markham Courthouse on May 11th.

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