Charge Downgraded For Man Who Forced Mom To Live In Shed
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) – A Dania Beach man accused of forcing his elderly mother to live in a shed behind his home appeared before a judge Wednesday in Broward court.
During the hearing, the charge of elderly abuse was downgraded to simple battery and Pastro Park pleaded not guilty.
Park was arrested last May after Broward Sheriff's deputies found his 84-year old disabled mother living in what they said was a tool shed behind Park's home. According to BSO, the shed did not have power, water or air conditioning and there were maggots in 84-year old Sei Hee Park's bed.
Deputies also said Park's mother, dehydrated and malnourished, appeared to have a maggot burrowing into the side of her face.
Following Wednesday's hearing Park's attorney said claims against his client have been blown out of proportion. He said the shed did have air conditioning and it was not a maggot on the woman's face but a piece of rice.
Park, who works as a security guard, was experiencing financial difficulties and allegedly moved his mother into the shed so he could rent out her room. Park reportedly admitted his mother lived in the shed and said he fed her and changed her often.
Park is out on $5,000 bond and has been ordered not to have any contact with his mother.
