Michigan Woman Arrested for Abusing Sister-in-Law

A woman from Michigan has been apprehended and faces felony charges for allegedly confining her disabled sister-in-law in the basement for two years, leading to severe neglect and malnutrition. It’s reported that she subjected her to almost complete isolation while continuously playing a radio at high volume.

Tasha Beamon, who is 48 years old, has been charged with abuse and false imprisonment against a vulnerable adult. On March 15, the victim managed to escape by breaking out of the basement and shattering a neighbor’s window to get help.

The escapee informed police that Beamon, the widow of her deceased brother, had kept her locked away until she found an opportunity to flee. Neighbors noted their surprise when they saw her emerge, seemingly desperate for help.

“She told the officer that food was scarce and there was no water available,” reported Saginaw Police Sgt. Jeff Dowd. According to the victim, Beamon forced her to sleep on an old mattress while the radio blared nearby since March 2021.

When law enforcement arrived at Beamon’s residence, they found a locked door leading to the basement, a bare mattress, and that radio blasting away. There was also a bucket containing urine present in the area. It seems the victim was only able to escape when no one else was home.

The police confirmed the appalling living conditions discovered during their visit. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment of severe malnutrition, where medical staff indicated she might not survive if released.

Neighbors reacted with disbelief as they described the victim’s condition. One neighbor, startled by her appearance, mentioned, “I don’t even know how she found the strength to break a window; she seemed frail.” Another neighbor recalled her immediate request for police assistance, which they thought was strange given her circumstance.

Beamon eventually confessed to the police that she had locked her sister-in-law in the house without permitting her to leave. It’s been suggested that the motive behind her actions might be tied to disability benefits, according to Dowd.

She was arrested on April 2 and is currently held at the Saginaw County Jail with a bail set at $100,000, as prosecutors deemed her a potential danger to others. Beamon is set to have a preliminary examination on April 20.