SPANISH FORT — A 58-year-old Spanish Fort woman remains in jail, charged with abusing the elderly man, who she was hired to give care for.

Because the investigation is ongoing, details provided by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office are sketchy.

BCSO spokesman Eric Winberg said, according to initial reports, the 72-year-old victim was transported to the Thomas Hospital emergency room by ambulance Wednesday.

“Once in the ER, hospital staff observed numerous marks, abrasion, lacerations, skin tears, and scars indicating that the victim had suffered an immense amount of physical abuse,” Winberg said in a press release. “The victim also advised staff that he had been deprived of food and water for quite some time.”

The victim’s comments, combined with the signs of abuse led hospital staff to call for law enforcement help.

During the course of the investigation, deputies learned that Martha McPherson, 58, was charged with the victim’s care and did reside with the victim at 11725 Patrick Lane, Spanish Fort.

Investigators contacted McPherson and interviewed her. According to Winberg, she eventually cooperated with the investigators, who has sufficient probable cause to arrest her. She was formally charged with domestic violence, second degree; and the neglect/abuse of an aged adult. She was arraigned and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bond.

The victim remains in the hospital in stable condition at this time.

This is not the first run-in with the law for McPherson. According to the BCSO website, McPherson was arrested in September 2003 and again in January 2009 for possession of a controlled substance. During the latter arrest, she was also charged with using a false ID to obstruct justice. She also listed her address then as 11800 McFarley Road, Spanish Fort.