Oklahoma City Man Arrested for Elder Abuse After Mother’s Death
A heartbreaking case of elder abuse led to the arrest of 48-year-old Todd Taylor after his 75-year-old mother, Arlinda Taylor, died over the weekend from what authorities described as severe neglect and abuse.
Arlinda was brought to an Oklahoma City hospital late Friday night, where staff immediately noticed signs of serious mistreatment. According to an arrest affidavit, she had visible wounds consistent with strangulation, hot water burns, and multiple lacerations. She was quickly admitted to the ICU but died within hours.
Detectives discovered Arlinda had been living bedridden in a hotel room with her son, Todd, as her primary caretaker. Officers found the living conditions deplorable. Taylor told investigators he stopped caring for his mother a month ago, claiming she didn’t want to be cleaned. He also said she had fallen earlier in the year but had no known critical health conditions.
Todd Taylor was arrested on a first-degree murder complaint, though charges could change pending the medical examiner’s final report on the cause of death.
Police are continuing to investigate, and Taylor remains in custody at the Oklahoma County jail.
