Greenville mother, son charged after woman found dead
Police arrested a Greenville man and his mother in connection with the death of a relative who was found last year in a chair saturated with feces and urine, according to arrest warrants.
The Greenville City Police Department charged David Scott Howell, 43, and Carole Beam Howell, 74, with abuse or neglect resulting in the death of a vulnerable adult, according to court documents.
Barbara Anne Beam, 82, was found dead on Jan. 2, 2015, at a home on Mt. Vista Avenue, authorities said. Beam had "injuries consistent with being immobile for an extended period of time," according to arrest warrants.
The Coroner's Office ruled her manner of death as homicide by neglect in February. Prolonged inactivity contributed to her death, a medical examiner said.
The Solicitor's Office had been reviewing the case to determine whether to pursue charges, police said in April.
Police arrested Howell and his mother, both of Lewis Drive, on Jan. 21. Carole Howell, Beam's sister, was released on her own recognizance. Her son was being held without bond at the Greenville County jail as of Tuesday afternoon, according to jail records.
Staff writer Romando Dixson covers crime for The Greenville News. Follow this case and others through his Facebook page, Romando The Reporter.