Family abandons elderly aunt, goes to Disney

A North Carolina family has come under fire for abandoning their 96-year-old aunt on Sunday at the Manatee County Salvation Army and then heading to Disney World.

The Salvation Army said it agreed to take in Ruth Smith after receiving a call from her niece, Beverly Edwards, who seemed anxious to drop off Smith.

"They (the family) said they could not wait to get back in the car," said Ashley Butler of Aging Safely Inc.

A judge has appointed Butler as Smith's guardian.

Butler said she talked to Edwards by phone at Disney on Wednesday.

"She did not ask me once how she was doing," Butler said. "She was more upset about the fact that it was raining at Disney."

Butler described Edwards, a foster mom from Asheville, as nonemotional when explaining it cost too much to care for Smith and that the family needed Smith's room.

"Last winter they had to spend $300 a month to keep the house warm because she's always cold," Butler said. "And they had a niece who graduated from college and needed Ruth's room, and she could help care for the foster children."

The staff at the Salvation Army used several grocery carts to haul Smith's belongings as the family emptied their car.

Those bags now sit stacked in Butler's office. A note on one of the bags reads, "Wash." Butler said that's because it contains urine-soaked clothes. The bags also held a journal with scribbled thoughts from Smith concerning Edwards' handling of her finances.

Butler has filed a complaint with the Bradenton Police Department. And she said North Carolina has launched a review of Edwards' status as a foster parent.

Butler hopes what happened to Smith sparks a call for new legislation and zero tolerance when it comes to what some have termed "granny dumping."

As for Smith, she's at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Butler said Smith is in good spirits.

"She's safe, she's happy," Butler said. "She even ordered a sandwich last night she wanted."