A Rockville man was arrested and charged with neglect of an adult that resulted in the man’s death. Gary D. Howes, 51, was charged after a body that is believed to be his father was found decomposing in the home they shared, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Howes could be released on an unsecured personal bond of $10,000 if he participates in mental health treatment, stays away from the home and certain people and wears an electronic monitoring device. He currently is in custody, where he has been since Sept. 13.
Howes is charged with abuse to a vulnerable adult that is a family member or resided in the house. He faces 10 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. His preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m.
On Sept. 6, Montgomery County Police went to Bready Road in Rockville at the request of a relative who asked police to conduct a wellness check as she was not able to reach the ailing man by phone and was turned away by Howes when she went to the house, according to court records. Gary W. Howes suffers from hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
When police arrived at the home, it was locked. The younger Howes refused entry to the officers and told them that his father was in West Virginia visiting a friend. However, police discovered that the friend had died in 2016. While speaking with Howes, the officers looked into the house and saw cleaning supplies and plastic wrap, according to court documents.
During an investigation, police learned that Howes owns another home in Silver Spring and that he sold and gave away numerous items, including firearms, and frequented an antique mall in Olney, where he told someone his father had died. Neighbors told police they hadn’t seen the elder Howes in eight months.
When police could not find any information on Gary W. Howes’ death, they obtained a search warrant and returned to the home.
Upon entry, police smelled a strong odor. Upon opening a back bedroom door that was the elder Howes’ room, they discovered human remains behind a door and under a file cabinet. Diapers and human feces also were seen in the room.
