A Mesa man faces charges of vulnerable adult abuse after law enforcement discovered his son living in a bathtub for seven weeks under what prosecutors described as deplorable conditions. Melvin Shimkus, 52, was taken into custody on Monday following the discovery of his son, who suffers from a chronic nerve disease that prevents him from walking and severely limits his hand mobility.
According to court documents, officers entered the bathroom at the residence near Southern Avenue and Gilbert Road and reported an immediate odor of feces and rotting meat. The victim was found with significant physical trauma, including a leg bent at a ninety-degree angle at the knee. Medical assessments noted that muscle tissue had deteriorated to the point where only skin and bone remained, alongside oozing sores across his body.
Shimkus told investigators that he had attempted to transport his son to a hospital, but the victim refused medical attention on multiple occasions. The pair had resided at the property for approximately seven years. At his initial appearance on Tuesday evening, prosecutors emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating it was causing significant and potentially permanent injuries.
Shimkus was booked into the Maricopa County jail on one count of vulnerable adult abuse. He also faces two probation violations. He is currently being held on a $12,000 bond. Mesa is located about 16 miles northwest of Queen Creek.
