CHATSWORTH, Ga. — Murray County deputies serving a warrant for a failure to appear charge found a 69-year-old woman who they were told had been “lying on the floor for approximately an hour neglected of medical assistance,” according to an incident report.

While trying to serve the warrant on 19-year-old Russel Lee Townsend at 323 Allen Road in Chatsworth for failure to appear on charges of child molestation and statutory rape, deputies ended up arresting both Townsend and his mother, Cathie Christine Townsend, 47, who was charged with hindering the apprehension or punishment of a criminal and cruelty to a person 65 or older. Both were taken to jail.

According to the report, deputies with the sheriff’s office went on Tuesday around noon to serve the warrant on Russel Townsend. After they knocked on the front and back doors “multiple times,” Cathie Townsend eventually answered the back door; “a commotion” was heard at a side window as Russel Townsend tried to leave through it and he was identified by a deputy and detained.

When deputies went inside, they found Tinsey Rice, identified by a neighbor as Russel Townsend’s grandmother, lying on the bedroom floor with “her right arm and right leg … twisted beneath her and she was unable to stand, appearing to need medical attention, unable to clearly communicate, clearly sounding distressed.”

EMS was able to get Rice to a sitting position. She “calmed after being assisted from the floor and was able to more clearly communicate with EMS,” the report said. She “denied medical attention.”

Cathie Townsend, who said she was Rice’s primary caregiver, said Rice “was lying on the floor for approximately an hour neglected of medical assistance.”

While deputies were checking on Rice, Russel Townsend fled from the house in handcuffs. When deputies gave chase, Cathie Townsend “stood in between us and the doorway, attempting to prevent us from pursuing,” the report said. Deputies found Russel Townsend hiding in thick brush about 100 yards from the residence.

A deputy noted Rice’s bed had “discoloration appearing to be urine and fecal matter,” the home was “infested with insects throughout,” and there was no heating or air conditioning. Deputies called in Adult Protective Services and a welfare check was scheduled.

Russel Townsend was charged on his warrant for felony failure to appear and with two counts of obstruction of an officer. Both he and his mother were being held Thursday in the county jail awaiting a bond hearing.