Two charged for alleged abuse of 77-year-old family member who suffered fractures, malnourishment

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) — Two people living in South Jordan have been charged with abuse after allegedly neglecting and abusing a 77-year-old man while acting as his caretakers. The man suffered fractures, bruising, and even endured having cold water poured on him while fully clothed.

Scott Albert Robison, 54, and Ashley Marie Reynolds, 37, have both been charged with one count of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult intentionally or knowingly, a second-degree felony.

According to documents, an officer with the South Jordan Police Department opened an investigation into multiple reports that Robison was abusing his 77-year-old family member for months, starting around December 2024.

The officer made contact with the 77-year-old man, who stated that Robison and his wife are his primary caretakers and live in his home. He explained that neither is employed, and Reynolds manages his finances. The man said he had been living with Robison for the past 10 years and had allegedly been abused and injured by him.

The older adult explained several forms of abuse he had endured, including being pushed, shoved, verbally assaulted, and having necessities withheld. He even described one incident where Robison had “grabbed him by the wrists and forced him” into the bathtub fully clothed. Robison then allegedly dumped cold water on the 77-year-old.

“Now you’re getting in the spirit of things,” the older adult recalled Robison saying as he dumped the cold water. The 77-year-old said that he felt “freezing cold,” and the skin on his wrists tore due to how Robison grabbed him.

Outside of physical abuse, the 77-year-old told the officer that Robison would withhold his medication and only give him food when it was convenient. According to documents, the man was only able to eat once a day, most of the time.

On May 27, the officer got in contact with the older adult’s physician, who allegedly stated that the man appeared to be “weak, malnourished, and had multiple bruises and skin tears.” Due to his injuries and poor health, the 77-year-old underwent a CT scan to see the full scope of his physical trauma.

The scan revealed that the 77-year-old had suffered multiple fractures and bruises. He had rib fractures, compression fractures, skin tears, and contusions on his head, arms, legs, and back. The scan also found that the man was malnourished and had suffered unintentional weight loss. Other health issues that had gone untreated by the caretakers were also discovered.

During the investigation, police allegedly discovered that Reynolds and Robison “rarely left” the residence. Although Reynolds did not physically abuse the 77-year-old, she did not intervene with Robison or fulfill her role as a primary caretaker. Documents say that she was present while Robison was abusing the victim.

According to a statement from a family member who did not live at the home, Robison possessed multiple firearms and “could quickly switch from being really nice to aggressive.” Documents say that Robison needed to be taken into custody because the victim could “suffer further domestic abuse or death at the hands” of Robison.

According to Master Officer Shaun Becker with the South Jordan Police Department, both Robison and Reynolds were safely taken into custody on Monday, July 14. Reynolds has an initial appearance in court on July 17, and Robison’s will be the following day, July 18.