January 9, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 3:47 p.m., Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station deputies assigned to Canyon Lake responded to the 30100 block of Rim Rock Place, Canyon Lake, for a reported dependent care abuse. Deputies spoke to the victim's doctor, who said the victim is a paraplegic male adult who is dependent on 24-hour care and requires a ventilator to breathe. The doctor stated she had terminated the caretaker's employment on January 6, 2025, and on January 7, 2025, she found the caretaker had disassembled the victim's ventilator, causing him not to breathe. The suspect and live-in caretaker was identified as Richard Emmons, a 55-year-old resident of Canyon Lake.

Emmons was contacted by deputies at the residence and eventually transported to the Lake Elsinore Station for further investigation. Emmons was subsequently transported and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for attempted murder, torture, and dependent care abuse. This is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Topete at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. All community members are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff's Dispatch at (951) 776-1099 or 911 if the matter is an emergency.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Robert Thomas

File # CN250070010

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office