A Georgia woman is accused of leaving her 14-year-old son with mental disabilities outside of a hospital last week.
Diana Elliott, 37, reportedly entered at Grady Memorial Hospital with her son but left him outside the building and took off in a red minivan without him. The 14-year-old appeared malnourished, and police said he appeared to have Down syndrome and could not communicate with officers, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Tips reportedly led authorities to a DeKalb County hotel, where Elliott was staying with her three other children. She told officers that she is a single mother and left her son at the hospital because she was overwhelmed caring for her children, according to WGCL.
BREAKING NEWS: Diana Elliot is going home tonight. The judge granted her a signature bond after an incredible community…
Posted by Kaitlyn Ross 11Alive on Thursday, December 12, 2019
“She went to the hospital with him. She walked around inside and then she decided to go outside and leave him outside abandoned knowing that he couldn’t speak, knowing that he couldn’t articulate himself,” police told the news station.
Elliott was charged with first-degree cruelty to children and appeared in court on Thursday. WXIA reported that group of mothers who did not know Elliott were there for her hearing to show support.
A group called Black Mothers Bail Out pledged to pay Elliott’s bond. However, it was not needed as the judge allowed Elliott to remain free without bail until her next court date. Attorney Brian Jarrad — who has three adoptive sons with Down syndrome — is representing the mother-of-four pro-bono.
Carla Griffin, a mother who revealed to WXIA that she left her own son with Down syndrome in an emergency room when he was 17, told the court that Elliott could live with her while she was out on bail.
Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS) is evaluating Elliott’s four children. WGCL reported that her 14-year-old son remains at Grady Hospital.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode:
[Featured image: Diana Elliott/Fulton County Jail, Atlanta Police Department]