A 54-year-old stepmother is facing the possibility of spending the rest of her life behind bars following horrific allegations of long-term neglect and abuse.

The woman, identified in court records as Renae Elizabeth McCarty, has been charged after her 19-year-old autistic stepdaughter was discovered in a state of extreme emaciation. According to investigators, the teenager weighed only 35 pounds when authorities finally intervened

A Scene of Neglect
The investigation began after local authorities received a tip regarding the welfare of a resident in a local mobile home. Upon arrival, officers found the home cordoned off as a crime scene. Inset images of the residence show yellow police tape draped over the wooden stairs leading to the front door, marking the site of what officials are describing as a “house of horrors.”

Medical professionals who examined the victim stated that a weight of 35 pounds is typical for a 4-year-old child, not a 19-year-old woman. The victim, who is non-verbal and has autism, was reportedly unable to seek help for herself.

Legal Consequences
McCarty has been charged with multiple counts, including:First-degree domestic assault

Abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person

Endangering the welfare of a child

Because of the victim’s age and the extreme physical trauma caused by prolonged starvation, prosecutors have indicated that they will seek the maximum penalty allowed by law. If convicted on the most serious charges, McCarty faces a sentence of life in prison.

The victim remains in critical condition at a specialized medical facility, where doctors are working to safely reintroduce nutrition to her fragile system. The case has sparked outrage across the community, highlighting the critical need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable adults with disabilities.