A Texas woman, Bernise, was arrested in Tennessee last week and charged with multiple crimes, including aggravated neglect of an elderly or vulnerable adult and neglect of a vulnerable adult, after she left several vulnerable adults unattended on a bus she was driving from Texas to Virginia.
Disturbing Conditions Found on the Bus
The incident came to light when Tennessee authorities responded to a medical emergency at a location in Tennessee. Officers discovered a yellow bus towing a trailer with three live goats inside. On the bus, they found five intellectually disabled adults and one adult with dementia, living in inhumane conditions.
The passengers were without running water or food, dressed in dirty clothes, and showing clear signs of malnutrition. One of the passengers had suffered a critical injury the previous day but had not received medical treatment. Authorities transported all six individuals to the hospital, where one later died.
Caregiver Admits to Leaving Vulnerable Adults Unattended
The 61-year-old caregiver, Bernise, admitted to authorities that she had been staying in hotels overnight while leaving the vulnerable adults on the bus. She also confirmed that the bus lacked essential necessities and that the living conditions were “uninhabitable and inhumane.”
Following her arrest, Bernise was initially held on an $80,000 bond, which was later increased to $250,000.
Background and Previous Caregiving Experience
Court documents reveal that Bernise has a background in caregiving. She previously owned a business with her ex-husband that provided care for mentally and physically disabled individuals.
However, her actions during this incident have raised serious questions about the oversight and regulation of caregivers responsible for vulnerable populations.
Ongoing Investigation
Tennessee authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic case. The incident has raised important concerns about the treatment of vulnerable adults and the need for stricter regulations to ensure the safety of individuals in caregiver environments.