OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Three people are facing charges of abuse of a vulnerable adult following an investigation into the death of a 44-year-old man at an assisted living home for developmentally disabled adults earlier this year.

Duet Supervisor Sam Breakfield Jr. , 58, and employees Lisa Valentine, also 58, and Lisa Felix, 61, were arrested to face Class 3A felony charges in the death of Zachary Hunter.

Court records filed earlier this month show that Hunter’s parents were never contacted in the days leading up to his death due to their son’s deteriorating health.

Around 1 a.m. on Monday, April 29, Hunter was found unresponsive on his bedroom floor at a home near 63rd and Whitmore streets, northwest of 60th Street and Sorensen Parkway. Court documents filed Oct. 8 show Hunter had the mental capacity of a 10-year-old and was unable to fend for himself. According to those records, the investigation took several months because medical personnel had to be subpoenaed for their notes, called “T-logs.”

An autopsy performed on April 30 revealed that Hunter died of E. coli sepsis due to a perforation in his colon. Sepsis, often called blood poisoning, requires prompt treatment.

Hunter had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and depression and was taking various medications for these diseases. The records also showed that he had not eaten since the previous Friday. He went to work that day as per his usual routine, but he returned home early when he didn’t feel well.

Investigators determined Hunter continued to complain of feeling unwell throughout the weekend and was experiencing extreme stomach pains, nausea, dizziness and sweating, but was not taking his medications or eating, according to court records. Her symptoms increased and she began vomiting and “wandering around” in the bedroom, crying and screaming – but she still wouldn’t take medication or allow her temperature to be taken and refused to go to hospital.

Felix, one of the Duet employees who cared for Hunter, told investigators it was not unusual for him to cry and scream throughout the night. Duet also said he was advised by medical support staff to contact Hunter’s doctor Monday morning about his condition, according to court documents. T-logs also confirmed that Hunter reached out to medical support staff about his condition Sunday night and was told to continue feeding him or taking his medication.

Felix then reached Valentine, who came to the house to help. Upon arrival, Valentine contacted his superior, Breakfield, and told him Hunter had the right to refuse treatment. He relayed this information to Felix, created a T-log entry with a note stating the same at 12:18 a.m. on Monday, April 29, and then left the house.

At 1:04 a.m. on April 29, Felix called 911 when he heard a loud “pop” and found her on the floor of her room. Hunter was pronounced dead at his home by Omaha Fire Department officials at 1:16 p.m.

Records show that no T-log was filed on Hunter’s behalf on Saturday, April 27.

Three Duet employees made their first appearance in Douglas County Court: Felix and Valentine appeared in court Friday afternoon; Breakfield’s court appearance was on Thursday.

All three were released on their own recognizance and their preliminary hearings are scheduled for December 4.

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