Manslaughter Charges Filed Against South Windsor Man

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A local man was arrested Monday in connection with the death of his elderly father last fall.

James Libby, 59, of 186 Scantic Meadow Road, South Windsor, was charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree abuse of persons and intentional cruelty to persons. Bond was set at $750,000, and he was arraigned Tuesday in Manchester Superior Court.

The charges stem from a Nov. 2016 death investigation at Libby's home. Relatives had asked police to check the welfare of their grandfather, Robert Libby, 94, who lived with his son, James Libby. A series of text messages from James Libby indicated he was suicidal and that Robert Libby had died in the home, Deputy Chief Scott Custer said.

Officers responded to the home and found Robert Libby had in fact died and the home was in complete disarray, covered in garbage, hundreds of empty beer cans, human feces, and infested with fleas. Investigators obtained a search warrant to search the home and were assisted by the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, Custer said.

Investigators noted the elderly man appeared to be extremely emaciated at the time of his death and had received a minimum of care. He had been dead for several days by the time police were notified, Custer said.

A subsequent investigation found that James Libby was Robert's sole caregiver and was dependent on him. James Libby admitted not giving his father any food or water, or changing him, for three days prior to discovering he had died, according to Custer.

Libby, who remains in custody, is due back in court April 27.

Photos courtesy of South Windsor Police Department