DeLand Man Charged With Elder Neglect

DeLand, FL – The Volusia Sheriff’s Office is charging 57-year-old Miles Kitterer with Elder Neglect Causing Great Bodily Harm and Destroying or Tampering with Physical Evidence. The charges come after the 80-year-old woman who was in his care was taken to the hospital in critical condition.  VSO was contacted by an Emergency Room nurse after she determined that the victim suffered from "severe neglectful duties" from her caretaker. EVAC, who brought the victim to the hospital, confirmed that the victim was removed from a home in extremely poor condition, with the floor covered in cat feces and an "overwhelming pungent smell of cat urine throughout the home."  The ER nurse said the victim was observed, per the incident report, to be covered in both human feces and urine and cat feces and urine. She also discovered that the victim had been diagnosed with diabetes and that her blood sugar had not been addressed in at least a week. The nurse also said, in her professional opinion, that the victim’s condition was due to neglect and that she will ultimately pass away from that neglect.  A deputy interviewed Kitterer at the home where both he and the victim lived. The strong smell of urine and feces in the home was noted. Kitterer told the deputy that he had not changed the victim that day which is why she had feces on her. The incident report notes cockroaches and other bugs on the walls, litter boxes full of feces, floors covered with clutter, and the strong odor was everywhere. Detectives did a follow-up investigation, verifying the deputy’s information.  Kittereer was arrested and taken to the Volusia County Jail. His bond was set at $15,000. He has since bonded on.