Jacob Gilstrap of Oak Grove who pled guilty to elder abuse was sentenced to 12-years in prison in Christian Circuit Court on Wednesday.
Gilstrap along with Ann Harrison were arrested in 2022 after they were accused of neglecting Gilstrap’s father, 70-year-old Anthony Gilstrap who the pair was responsible for caring for.
Anthony Gilstrap was reportedly made to live alone in a camper by the pair where medical staff reported signs of sepsis, gangrene, an open wound to the bone on Anthony Gilstrap’s leg and pressure ulcers which led to his death.
In Circuit Court, Judge Andrew Self detailed the Commonwealth’s recommended sentences for each of Gilstrap’s charges. Self recommended five years for Gilstrap’s second degree criminal abuse charge, two years for wanton abuse and neglect of an adult, two years for financial exploitation, and twelve months for each of the eight charges of animal neglect and five years for reckless homicide.
However, Self recommended that the two five-year sentences and the two two-year sentences be served consecutively which would make the total sentence 12 years.
Gilstrap’s Defense Attorney Renae Tuck says Gilstrap feels remorse as a result of allowing his father to be neglected. Tuck requested for the court to grant Gilstrap probation on the basis that he may have possible employment.
Following Tuck’s proposition, Gilstrap expressed his remorse saying he was sorry for allowing his father to be neglected and wishes he could take it back.
Self denied the Tuck’s request and instated the recommended 12-year sentence, and gave Gilstrap credit for the 13 months he has already served.