3 charged with homicide, abuse in relative’s death

Published 9:53 am Tuesday, February 18, 2020

NASHVILLE (AP) — Three Tennessee residents face homicide charges after a relative died from complications caused by a severe bed sore.

Willie Harper, 78, died last July shortly after being admitted to a hospital, Nashville police said in a statement. A medical examiner ruled Harper’s death a homicide and an investigation determined Harper’s family members failed to take care of him, leading to the dire medical condition, police said.

A grand jury in Nashville handed down indictments this month charging Harper’s daughter, Shakela Bigsby, 41; his brother, Alford Bailey, 71; and his niece, Annise Bailey, 46. They were taken into custody on Wednesday and Thursday.

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Each was jailed with bond set at $100,000.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether any of those charged had attorneys.