‘Severe, severe, severe neglect’: Arizona man allegedly left disabled son in bathtub for 7 weeks
07/03/2026 12:00 pm PDT
MESA, Ariz. (TCN) -- A 52-year-old man has been arrested and jailed on one count of vulnerable adult abuse in connection with the alleged treatment of his son.
KPNX reports officers were called about the home of Melvin Shimkus and his son, 31-year-old Hunter Shimkus, in May, but were turned away when they arrived because both declined assistance.
On June 30, police again arrived at the home and found Hunter Shimkus in the bathtub. Melvin Shimkus told responding officers his son has a nerve disease that renders him unable to walk or use his hands. He claimed he had offered to take Hunter Shimkus to the hospital, but he had refused.
Officers said the bathroom where the victim was found smelled like rotting meat and feces, and his leg was bent at the knee 90 degrees in the opposite direction, according to KPNX. His muscles were reportedly gone and only skin and bone were visible, and he reportedly was covered in oozing sores.
Court documents obtained by WWNY allege Hunter Shimkus was extremely emaciated and had been kept in the bathtub for seven weeks. His right leg was held in place by small ropes and his right foot appeared extremely deformed.
An investigator stated Hunter Shimkus “clearly suffered from severe, severe, severe neglect,” according to WWNY. “The neglect was so extreme that it caused significant, possible permanent injuries to the victim.”
According to another family member in the home, Hunter Shimkus had been in the bathtub since May 16, WWNY reports. His aunt Carole Schofield, who lives in the home, alleged, “Everything was done that we could do. … Everyone tried to convince Hunter to go to the hospital. Hunter said no. When the paramedics came, he said no. They turned around and walked off, said we can’t touch him. He’s an adult.”
Melvin Shimkus was arrested and charged with one count of vulnerable adult abuse on June 30. In addition, he was arrested for violating probation twice. He was booked into jail on $12,000 bond, per KPNX.
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