Nebo Man Charged After Child, Adults with Special Needs Found Living in Unsafe Conditions

Detective Billie Brown with the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office charged 58-year-old Derrick Suppes of Nebo with felony Abuse of a Disabled Person with Injury; (2 counts) misdemeanor Attack by Dangerous Dog; and misdemeanor Child Abuse. He was issued a secured bond of $22,000.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 11, deputies responded to a call in Nebo after a report of a female in cardiac arrest.

Upon arrival, deputies found the female deceased at the residence.

Deputies and detectives, along with McDowell County Animal Control, secured the scene and removed several dangerous dogs from the residence. It was discovered that an 11-year-old female, along with an adult male and adult female (both with special needs) were living at the home without running water or indoor plumbing.

An investigation by detectives determined that Suppes was responsible for keeping the dangerous dogs (16 in total) in the home and for not providing adequate living conditions for the child and occupants with special needs.

With the assistance of the McDowell County Department of Social Services, all three occupants were removed from the home at that time and placed with relatives.

McDowell County Emergency Services also assisted with the incident.