A Grovetown man has been charged after Wednesday’s gruesome discovery of his father’s body in a home described as “uninhabitable.”
Grovetown police responded to 105 Howell St. in Grovetown and discovered 74-year-old Herschel Copeland deceased on the living room couch, dead from apparent natural causes, according to Grovetown Police Chief Jamey Kitchens.
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“Mr. Copeland was found sitting in human excrement and urine and was also suffering from open sores on his body that were infested with insects,” Kitchens said.
Officers also discovered 72-year-old Song Copeland alive, but suffering from several medical issues and limited mobility.
“The conditions inside of the home were described as uninhabitable by officers on the scene,” Kitchens said in a press release.
The Copeland’s son, 40-year-old Peter Copeland, also lived in the home and acted as the primary caregiver for his parents. He told officers that his dad had been on the couch and “had not moved for several days.”
The Columbia County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and determined that Mr. Copeland had been deceased for about four hours. Mrs. Copeland was checked by Gold Cross EMS and despite living in the deplorable conditions of the home, was found to be otherwise healthy. Adult Protective Services was contacted, and Mrs. Copeland was re-moved from the scene and taken to a local hotel.
Peter Copeland was arrested for neglect to a disabled/elderly adult and transported to the Columbia County Detention Center. An autopsy has been scheduled for Mr. Copeland and additional charges are anticipated, police said.
Chief Kitchens said this is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information concerning this event is encouraged to contact the Grovetown Police Department at 706-863-1212.
