The young couple who were charged with abuse and neglect of an elderly woman may have have been more interested in caring for their marijuana plants than the man’s great-grandmother.
Late Wednesday night East Ridge police executed a search warrant of the Lazard Street home where Seth and Stormy Duff allegedly neglected Seth Duff’s great-grandmother. According to a police report, officers found numerous marijuana plants growing underneath florescent lights in a closet where the 19-year-old couple stayed.
The report states that police found five marijuana plants and grow apparatus in the closet. One of the small plants that was kept in the bottom half of an insulated cooler with reflective lighting was tagged with a label that said “Duff.” Police also found “white powder” coating a piece of glass along with a razor blade on a shelf behind a chair closest to the closet. Also on the shelf was a loaded .357 Magnum handgun.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, officers had gone to the home to check on the well-being of an elderly lady. A report states that police found the house “uninhabitable” due to animal waste throughout the home. The elderly woman was found laying in her own urine and feces on a bed in a bedroom that had a padlock on the outside of the door leading to the hallway. The woman was immediately removed from the home and taken by EMS to a local hospital for treatment.
The report also states that Seth Duff told officers that he was responsible for the care of his great-grandmother. Police also found a suicide letter penned by Seth Duff saying he felt guilty over not being able to care for the woman.
The couple had an outstanding warrant through East Ridge Municipal Court for failure to appear on a domestic case. The couple were taken into custody then and charged with Willful Abuse and Neglect of an Adult.
The report states that personnel from ER Animal Control assisted in removing three dogs and other animals from the home, as they would be unattended as a result of the arrest of the Duffs. In addition, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers were called in to assist in the removal of a dead caged squirrel and “various prohibited indigenous turtles that were both inside and outside the residence.”
The report states that Seth Duff had an active protective order against him, prohibiting him from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
The report states that warrants will be obtained for the Duffs on drug and weapons charges.
