A Chattanooga man with Lou Gehrig's disease was attacked in his home by a former caregiver who fled with $4,000 and other items, according to an affidavit from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
The victim, Gerald Sexton, 73, was attacked by Marcella Ann Collins, also known as Marcella Edge, 50, on Thursday night, according to the affidavit from the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
(READ MORE: Babysitter charged in Hixon toddler death to get third attorney)
"Mr. Sexton stated that he begged for his life," the affidavit said.
Sexton, assisted by two other caregivers, told officers Edge had broken into his home and allegedly attacked him.
The affidavit states Edge broke into Sexton's home and began choking him. Edge then stuffed a rag in his mouth, laid him flat on his bed, held his nose shut, and poured water in his face, the affidavit said.
"Mr. Sexton later stated that he closed his eyes to give off the impression that he was dead and Marcella Edge left the scene," the affidavit said.
Sexton told officers that money he kept in a box near his bed was missing and could have been taken during the attack.
Edge was a caregiver for Sexton until Wednesday, when he fired her, the affidavit states.
Sexton suffers from ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ALS is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Officers found Edge on Friday in a house on the 7200 block of Sims Road in Harrison. Officers found the money in a glove box, along with other items she had allegedly taken from Sexton's home.
She was taken into custody and was charged with one count of aggravated abuse of an elderly or vulnerable adult, one count of especially aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary and one of attempted first-degree murder.
(READ MORE: Second suspect arrested in connection to the Brainerd Tunnel shooting, fatal crash)
Edge is out on a $50,000 bond and is due to appear Nov. 1 at the Hamilton County General Sessions Court before Judge Gerald Webb. Information on who is representing Edge was not immediately available.
Contact La Shawn Pagán at lpagan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476. Follow her on Twitter @LaShawnPagan.