Man Charged With Elder Abuse, Animal Cruelty in Rochester

BROCKTON (WBSM) — A man has been arraigned on elder abuse and animal cruelty charges after allegedly leaving an elderly Rochester woman and her dog to live in squalid conditions for months, with no heat or running water, and with the dog dying as a result.

According to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz, the suspect – Seth Aguiar, 51 – was arraigned today in Brockton Superior Court and pleaded not guilty to one count each of elder abuse, larceny from an elderly person, misuse of a credit card, use of a motor vehicle without authority, operating a motor vehicle while unlicensed, and animal cruelty.

“Last Friday, the Plymouth County grand jury returned indictments alleging that Aguiar abused, neglected, and financially exploited a female senior citizen residing in Rochester,” the D.A.’s Office said. “The investigation alleges that Aguiar submitted the victim to horrendous living conditions, and emotionally and financially abused the victim.”

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On February 28, 2023, a family member of the victim contacted Rochester Police after attempting a wellness check, and officers arrived to find the victim malnourished, suffering from hypothermia and living in squalor, the D.A.’s Office said. She was hospitalized for two weeks at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Her Yorkshire terrier was found to have been dead for weeks in the home without food or water.

According to the D.A., an investigation found that Aguiar had been renting a property across the street from the victim and was acting as her caretaker, but allegedly left her trapped inside without heat or running water. It is alleged that he also failed to fill her medical prescriptions.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that Aguiar stole her debit card and used it to purchase sneakers, clothing, fast food and to have his car serviced. Aguiar allegedly continued to use her debit card while she was in the intensive care unit at Tobey.

The D.A.’s Office said Aguiar is alleged to have stolen about $12,000 from the victim.

Bail was set at $11,000 with the conditions that Aguiar would wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, stay away and have no contact with the victim, and submit to random drug screening. He is due back in court on August 10.