Son charged in mother's Tuscaloosa death

Tuscaloosa County, Ala. Jonathan Chad Simmons was indicted on Tuesday on charges stemming from the death of his mother, Brenda Hallman Simmons.

Court documents obtained by WQCW show Simmons faces one count of manslaughter and one count of second-degree elder abuse.

Tuscaloosa County deputies and medical personnel responded to the 13000 block of Alabama Highway 216 on May 16. They found the 76-year-old woman alive but unresponsive at her residence.

Brenda Hallman Simmons died several days later while under medical care. An autopsy determined the cause of death was sepsis resulting from complications associated with multiple open bedsores.

Medical staff at the hospital noted that Simmons had multiple open wounds and sores on her body. They also observed signs that she had not been bathed, finding feces and insects in her hair.

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the state medical examiner’s office launched a joint investigation after family members and health personnel suspected neglect. Investigators executed a search warrant at the home Simmons shared with her adult son. They described the residence as excessively dirty and unsanitary.

Simmons told investigators he served as the custodian and caretaker for his mother. He admitted to knowing about her medical issues, including the open wounds and bedsores. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit stated that Simmons had not taken his mother to a doctor in over a year.

The indictment alleges that Simmons recklessly caused his mother’s death by abusing and neglecting an elderly person. It further claims that the abuse or neglect resulted in serious physical injury to Brenda Hallman Simmons.

Jonathan Chad Simmons is currently being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. A $30,000 bond has been set for his release.