A woman in Tennessee has been arrested for allegedly holding her own mother captive and subjecting her to repeated physical abuse. She was also the victim’s primary caregiver. The arrest came after the 77-year-old victim placed a sign in her window asking for help. Julia Meusel, a 52-year-old woman from Tennessee, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with elderly adult abuse.
The arrest followed a welfare check requested by a concerned passerby who saw a sign in the victim’s window that read “HELP 911.” Meusel’s mom confirmed that she had been locked in her bedroom for a week and subjected to physical violence.
According to reports, Meusel had allegedly twisted her mother’s arms, slapped her, and even thrown a tray at her. When first responders arrived at the scene, they observed visible bruises on the victim’s arms and legs that shed light on a potential issue of domestic violence.
Neighbors expressed shock upon learning about the alleged abuse of the elderly mother. One neighbor, Bryan Figler, commended the victim for finding a way to seek help and escape the situation. He emphasized the need for the victim to receive the necessary support and resources to recover from the traumatic experience that she faced at the hands of her daughter.
Meusel was booked into the Metro Davidson County Detention Facility but was released on Tuesday after posting a bond of $6,000. She is scheduled to appear in court on July 11. Court records reveal that Meusel has a previous charge of misdemeanor domestic assault resulting in bodily injury in April 2023, with a court appearance scheduled for July 14. Additionally, she has faced charges of domestic assault resulting in bodily injury in 2006 and 2022, although both cases were dismissed.