HOUSTON, Texas – Two men are currently in custody at the Harris County Jail after they were caught on camera assaulting a 67-year-old man who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Trayvon Lockridge and Deroderic Stephens are facing charges of aggravated robbery over 65, according to officials.
The victim, Florentino Hurtado, was attacked while his wife had gone into a meat market near Tidwell in the 5900 block of North Shepherd. He remained in the car and became disoriented, which is typical for him, according to his daughter Jessica. Surveillance videos show that he pulled on the door handle of the wrong car, which was locked, and the occupants of the car – Lockridge and Stephens – then proceeded to assault him.
Florentino, who weighs less than 100 pounds, suffered a broken cheekbone, numerous cuts that required stitches, a possible traumatic brain injury, and a black eye. His daughter expressed shock and dismay at the images of the assault, saying that her father didn’t deserve to be treated in such a way.
Since the incident, Florentino has not been able to remember how he was hurt. His daughter mentioned that her father had a moment of clarity in the hospital after the attack and questioned why someone would do this to him. Lockridge, who has no prior criminal record, had his bond set at $50,000, while Stephens, who has five pending cases in addition to his new charge, is still awaiting the decision of his bond.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia and the importance of looking out for and protecting them. It also highlights the need for awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by those with cognitive impairments.