The Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Office has conducted an investigation following reports of possible elder abuse and illegal drug use by a caretaker at the home of an elderly Vian man.

Debbie Frankie, 73, of Vian, is facing a felony charge of abuse/exploitation/neglect of a vulnerable adult in Sequoyah County District Court. Following her arrest, she was released on a $10,000 bond and is to have no contact wth the alleged victim as a condition of her bond. She is now scheduled for a Dec. 3 felony disposition docket, according to court records.

According to an affidavit filed by investigators, deputies were called to the residence of a Vian man on Aug. 11 after his adult children requested assistance locating suspected narcotics left in the home. The siblings told deputies they believed a caretaker, identified as Frankie, had allegedly been using and storing marijuana in their father’s home, and that they possessed video evidence of her actions.

Sheriff Larry Lane, along with Investigators Galen Irvin and Dwayne Frizzell, and Deputy Daniel Whitus responded to the residence where the adult children gave consent for them to search the home, explaining that their father suffered from dementia.

During the search, deputies reported finding a box with miscellaneous marijuana products and paraphernalia in the kitchen and dining area. The items, which included dispensary containers and marijuana edibles, were photographed and collected as evidence.

Investigators also reviewed several months of home security footage provided by the alleged victim’s family, which they said showed disturbing behavior by the caretaker.

The report states that Frankie could allegedly be seen smoking marijuana, admitting to sharing marijuana with friends and other caretakers, and speaking about accessing the elderly man’s money.

In multiple videos, investigators said Frankie is heard yelling at or threatening the elderly man, who appears visibly upset and crying.

One video allegedly shows Frankie intoxicated and slumped over the elderly man, while another shows her yelling at him for having an accident and threatening to strike him.

Deputies noted that the videos appear to show “threats of violence and emotional abuse” toward the elderly man, who requires full-time care due to his dementia.

The crime is punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than two years, and a fine of not more than $10,000, according to District Attorney Jack Thorp.