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Incident at 6833 Beechnut

August 5, 2005 -- A suspect has been arrested and charged in the death of a woman found at 6833 Beechnut on June 22.

The suspect, Jerome Psencik (w/m, DOB 4-28-51), is charged with injury to the elderly by omission in the 184th State District Court. He is accused in the death of his mother, Mary Psencik, 80. The suspect was arrested at his family's residence at 6833 Beechnut on Wednesday (Aug. 3).

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant B. Harris and Officer T.J. McCorvey reported:

Officers were called to the Psencik residence about 10:25 p.m. on June 22. There, they found Mary dead on the bedroom floor. She had visible bedsores, insect bites and was surrounded by roaches. Investigators noted the living conditions as alarming, filthy and unsanitary. It was determined Mary had been on the floor for several days.

The suspect was his mother's sole caregiver and had been living with his mother for 30 years. Jerome Psencik's initial account of how his mother died and how he took care of her was in conflict with the autopsy results. The investigation showed the suspect should have gotten medical attention for his mother. According to the medical examiner, Mary suffered from starvation and malnutrition, which led to other health problems and subsequently to heart failure causing her death.

JFC/NJM 8-5-05
Inc #096056005

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.