Disabled TX Man Gets Ear Cut Off and Severely Abused By Parents

45-year-old Edwin Colleson suffered severe abuse at the hands of his own mother and stepfather while living at a Galveston County RV park. Colleson had severe muscular atrophy and an intellectual disability and was under the care of his mother, 66-year-old Billie Jean Barnes.

HORRIFIC AND TWISTED ABUSE

Colleson was tied up by his stepfather, 51-year-old Timothy Ray Ellis, and bound to the RV for two weeks. While he was restrained, Ellis cut open Colleson's ear and then tried stitching it back up with a fishing line.

As Colleson remained tied up he began to develop wounds and sores. Instead of getting him medical help, his stepfather, who never had formal medical training, unsuccessfully attempted to treat his severe wounds with at-home remedies.

POLICE FIND COLLESON UNRESPONSIVE

Police were eventually called to the RV park with reports of an unresponsive person. When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive, frail Colleson, covered in "feces, urine, and bedsores."

At the time police discovered Colleson he was described as weighing merely 70 pounds, mentally incapacitated, and missing teeth and a portion of his bottom lip. 

INJURIES FROM LONG-TIME NEGLECT 

Colleson was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. When he arrived nurses quickly discovered his flesh was beginning to rot due to long-time neglect. Colleson later died from his injuries caused by his severe abuse. 

Timothy Ray Ellis and Billie Jean Barnes were each charged with injury to a child/elderly/disabled person and had their bonds each set at $250,000.

REPORTING ABUSE IN TEXAS

Call 800-458-9858 to report suspected abuse or neglect of people who are older or who have disabilities.