A man in North Carolina has been charged after police say his 96-year-old father was found dead inside their home and the death was not reported for several days — the discovery only came to light on Father’s Day. The son, who was reportedly his father’s caregiver, denies the allegation and says he called 911 immediately upon finding him.
Authorities in Dallas, North Carolina, identified the suspect as Theron Gregory Tuttle, 55, and the deceased as his father, Thomas Tuttle Sr., 96. Local law enforcement has charged the son with failing to report a death, a misdemeanor that can carry legal consequences while investigators work to establish the facts.
Police told a local ABC affiliate that the elder Tuttle was discovered in the shared residence and that officers believe he had been deceased for several days before the call to authorities. The younger Tuttle has disputed that timeline, saying in an interview that he contacted emergency services as soon as he found his father.
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What investigators are doing now
Authorities have taken the suspect’s cellphone as part of the inquiry, and the county medical examiner has ordered an autopsy. Officials say the examination will aim to determine the cause of death and provide a clearer chronology of events leading up to it.
The case is still active: Theron Tuttle was arrested and booked into Gaston County Jail. He posted a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for a probable-cause hearing on July 15.
Neighbors described the elder Tuttle as a long-time resident of the house and someone well known in the area. One neighbor said the family home had been occupied for decades and that Thomas Tuttle Sr. was generally regarded as a quiet, friendly presence in the neighborhood.
- Location: Dallas, North Carolina
- Victim: Thomas Tuttle Sr., 96
- Accused: Theron Gregory Tuttle, 55
- Allegation: Failing to report a death
- Investigation steps: Cellphone seized; autopsy pending
- Legal status: Arrested, $15,000 bond, hearing July 15
Local reporting notes that the elder Tuttle was a Korean War veteran, and his obituary lists a birth date of November 19, 1929, in Portsmouth, Ohio. The community reaction has been one of shock and concern as details continue to emerge and officials complete their review.
With the autopsy pending, authorities have not released a cause of death. The outcome of the medical examination and any further evidence from the seized phone will shape whether prosecutors move forward with additional charges or amend the current allegation.
