NORFOLK, Va., (WVEC) -- Two Norfolk parents are in jail Friday night for allegedly neglecting and abusing their son who has Cerebral Palsy.
Police arrested Philip and Georgia Arenz after their 24-year-old son, Jason, was taken to the hospital on Tuesday with bed sores filled with maggots.
According to court documents, doctors found Jason was covered in feces, and he was dehydrated and starved.
Joseph Griffin, a neighbor of the family, said he thought the couple took good care of Jason.
"They were nice people,” said Griffin. "She stuck by her kid, though. I know that for a fact."
Griffin said the couple has a total of two kids, a daughter, and Jason.
A ramp leading to the front door of the Arenz home on Harrell Avenue shows accommodations were made for Jason's wheelchair.
"[Jason is] a very smart man, even with his condition,” said a neighbor of 15 years, John Williams. "They were always helpful, especially Georgia.”
13News Now showed Willimas the court documents, and he was shocked.
Williams said Georgia suffered from several health issues of her own.
"[She] suffered from her diabetes, and heart problems, everything. She's not able to physically be lifting him," Willimas said.
In the report, Phillip claims he noticed the bedsores a day before bringing his son to the hospital. He also claimed he didn't 'realize the severity of the neglect.’
According to the documents, Phillip claimed Georgia was the primary caregiver. He even recalled Georgia treated Jason with ointment at home.
The couple are sitting in Norfolk jail without bail. They are expected to appear at a bond hearing next Tuesday.
Jason is currently in the care of Adult Protective Services. His attorney told 13News Now that she can't comment on his condition because of pending litigation.
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