PRESS RELEASE

Suspect: Winkle, Thomas Joseph, Age 52 of Ukiah.

Crimes: Severe Neglect and Abuse of a Dependent Adult, Felony Crime, Bail $100,000.

On 03/11/13, the Ukiah Police Department began an investigation into the current severe medical condition of a 32 year old Ukiah woman who has a number of long term illnesses requiring her to have constant care, making her a legally dependent adult.

On 3/7/13 the woman was transported via ambulance from her South State Street Apartment to the Ukiah Valley Medical Center related to an undisclosed medical condition. It has been determined that the woman currently has severe life threatening medical conditions related to substandard care for her underlying and ongoing medical issues from which she is unable to provide for her own care and needs ongoing care provider assistance.

The Ukiah Police Detectives immediately took over the investigation and spent many non-stop hours following up on leads and information. They obtained a search warrant for the apartment that the woman lived with her boyfriend/in-home care provider, Thomas Winkle. Additionally, based on the severity of the woman’s condition, an arrest warrant was obtained for Winkle’s arrest for neglect and abuse of a dependent adult.

Detectives obtained and served a search warrant at the residence and discovered that the condition of the residence and the bed that the woman had been occupying for many months was extremely unsanitary. These conditions directly resulted in the woman’s current life threatening medical conditions.

Thomas Winkle, the woman’s live in boyfriend and in-home paid care provider of more than two years was arrested for severe neglect and abuse of a Dependent Adult. He was booked into the Mendocino County Jail. The investigation continues and he may be charged with further crimes depending on the outcome of that investigation.

By: Captain Trent Taylor