PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Pinellas County man is facing elder abuse charges for the second time in two years involving the same victim.

  • Richard Goodwin, 65, charged with elder abuse, animal cruelty 
  • He's accused of abuse against the same woman for the 2nd time
  • Woman was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries

Investigators say the woman was kept in deplorable conditions that not only put her in danger, but also animals.

Sixty-five-year-old Richard Goodwin is charged with elder abuse and animal cruelty. Investigators say Goodwin was the caretaker for the elderly woman who is bedridden.

Investigators say the home had no working toilets, nor did it have food or water for the victim or the animals inside, including a number of exotic birds and dogs. There was also reportedly feces everywhere along with rats, roaches and black colored mold.

Not shocking for neighbors who drive pass every day.

“You don’t believe that something like that would happen so close to your house. It’s like an episode of hoarders,” neighbor Dylan Fresh said.

Richard Goodwin, 65, is charged with elder abuse and animal cruelty. Investigators say Goodwin was the caretaker for the elderly woman who is bedridden. (Pinellas County Jail)

Victoria Muenzerbeer says she’s known the victim for decades.

“I felt bad for her. I haven’t seen her in months. I’ve just seen he keeps collecting old corvettes. And the animals and things,” she said.

Some of the animals Goodwin is accused of collecting are exotic bird who Spectrum Bay News 9 is told were flying freely around the house.

There were also puppies found sitting in their own feces according to investigators.

The Dunedin home is definitely not the way Ginger Francisco says she ever wanted to see the house that her parents built when she was a little girl.

“I’m not surprised. I’ve seen things going on over there. They couldn’t even get in the driveway. They were using the golf course to get in. I don’t see anything else to do. It does really, it bothers me but at this point, I just want it gone,” Francisco said.

Goodwin has bonded out of jail. Neighbors say he’s the victim’s boyfriend and they say he was back at the home Thursday once he got out of jail.

We’re told that victim was transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries, and the animals were taken to shelters.