A charge against a former Stuart man, of maliciously causing bodily injury to his elderly mother, was advanced from Patrick County General District Court to Patrick County Circuit Court Sept. 22.
After hearing testimony in a preliminary hearing in Patrick County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Judge Bob Bushnell found probable cause against Michael Bernard Quate, 63, who now lives in North Carolina.
Michael Quate lived with his mother, Patsy Quate, 84, in Stuart, when the alleged abuse occurred.
According to testimony, the elderly woman was malnourished and had bruises and other injuries when she was admitted to Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick County in July.
Investigator Terry Mikels of the Patrick County Sheriff’s Office issued a criminal complaint charging that Patsy Quate had “severe bruises and abuse to her head, neck, arms, hand and legs. She kept stating that she wouldn’t pee and not to beat her anymore.
“According to medical statements, she had old and new injuries and a broken left wrist,” Mikels reported. “Her bruising is horrific. She also had skin tears…It appeared she had not eaten in days and only weighed 76 pounds when she was admitted. She is scared of her son and is afraid he will beat her.”
Patsy Quate is now a resident of Blue Ridge Therapy Connection in Stuart.
