Police have officially charged a Philadelphia woman after her cousin with special needs was found bound to a bed inside her home.
Police say they responded to several calls about an ongoing neighborhood dispute involving 46-year-old Regina Bennett, who lives at a home on the 200 block of Linton Street, shortly before midnight. As a result of the alleged dispute responding officers arrested Bennett for threats and assaults against a neighbor, according to investigators.
As the officers left, police were contacted by neighbors who claimed a child had been left unattended inside the house, according to investigators. Police say they returned to the home and found a 36-year-old woman bound in the basement of the home. According to police, the woman is Bennett's cousin.
(Pictured: 46-year-old Regina Bennett)
Police say the woman appeared to be extremely thin, with sores on her body. They also say her bed was soaked with urine.
The woman was cut free by officers and taken to Einstein Hospital. Police have not yet revealed her condition.
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood.
Officials say Bennett was hired by Special People in the Northeast(SPIN) to take care of her cousin in 2011. She was immediately suspended after her arrest however. SPIN is currently cooperating with the investigation.
Bennett is charged with terroristic threats, simple assault, false imprisonment and other related offenses. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in September.
Officials at the Department of Behavioral Health says a coordinator checked on Bennett's cousin back on July 26 as part of a routine monthly visit. According to the coordinator, there were no red flags during the visit. The Department is currently investigating to make sure procedures were followed.
“We’ll see if there are things that come up that we feel we can tighten up or put more clarity that we need from the commonwealth,” said Denise Taylor Patterson, a member of the Department. “These rules aren’t things that the city of Philadelphia sets up.”
Officials say the woman could be released from the hospital soon and are working on getting her proper care once she gets out.
