Police charged a live-in caretaker Sunday night in connection with allegedly leaving her patient alone for several hours.

Mary Elizabeth Coleman, 52, was charged with felony abuse or neglect of a disabled person, causing serious mental or physical harm. She was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

Rocky Mount police Cpl. Mike Lewis said emergency officials called for police support shortly before midnight Sunday to a house on the 1100 block of Tarboro Street. Fire crews and Emergency Medical Service personnel were called to the home after family reported Coleman left the 23-year-old disabled male in her care alone for several hours. The extent of the victim’s injuries was not released due to privacy regulations, but officials said the family took the victim to Nash General Hospital for care. No other information was released.

According to police reports, Coleman worked for Body Whole Health & Counseling Inc. in Wilson, but her employer hung up when media contacted her for comment.

“We would encourage our citizens who have to use these type of services to fully investigate the organizations that provide these kinds of services,” Lewis said. “If you suspect any type of abuse or neglect similar to this incident, you should contact your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Social Services.”

The victim’s family also declined to comment about the incident.