PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — UPDATE (2/9): The Pigeon Forge Police Department has identified the vulnerable adult who died after police said two caregivers abused him.
PFPD said the victim was 46-year-old Jospeh Blevins. Officials said they were made aware by investigators from McDowell County Sheriff's Department of his death on Feb. 1. Warrants were then obtained by PFPD on Dustin Suttles and Katelyn Elliott for abuse of a vulnerable adult.
The McDowell County Sheriff's Office said deputies and paramedics responded to calls about a cardiac arrest at a Nebo home on Jan. 30. Blevins was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, the sheriff's office said.
"The investigation revealed Suttles, Elliott and Blevins had returned to Nebo this date from Tennessee. Once learning this information, the Sheriff’s Office contacted the Pigeon Forge Police Department and has been investigating jointly with them," it said.
Dustin Lee Suttles and Katelyn Renee Elliot were arrested and are awaiting extradition to Pigeon Forge, the sheriff's office said.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.
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The Pigeon Forge Police Department said two North Carolina caregivers were arrested in connection with the death of a vulnerable adult male.
PFPD said the department was made aware of the death by investigators from the McDowell County Sheriff's Department in North Carolina.
On Feb. 4, the PFPD obtained arrest warrants for Dustin Lee Suttles and Katelyn Renee Elliot on charges of abuse of a vulnerable adult.
The warrants, which come from the General Sessions Court in Sevier County, said the victim had a severe intellectual disability, autistic disorder and schizophrenia.
According to the warrants, the victim was locked in a car for multiple hours and was struck by Suttles at Willow Brook Lodge in Pigeon Forge on Jan. 29. The incident was caught on camera.
Courtney Johnson, an advocate for people with disabilities, called for people to be vigilant in case people with intellectual disabilities or autism have a sudden change in behavior. She said it could indicate something is wrong.
"They might suddenly not be involved in social outings, or tell you that they can't do something because they're not allowed," she said.
People can report if they spot possible issues to either the Department of Children's Services, or Adult Protective Services.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.