Alvin Ray Riggs

A Smith County man was arrested Thursday on a felony charge of injury to an elderly individual after investigators determined his mother suffered serious injuries due to neglect, authorities said.

Alvin Ray Riggs, 53, was taken into custody in Longview by Longview police officers and booked into the Gregg County Jail on a first-degree felony charge. His bond was set at $2.5 million.

The investigation began Feb. 5 when Smith County deputies responded to a report from Adult Protective Services regarding an elderly woman with severe injuries caused by neglect. The woman, who lived with her son in the 23500 block of County Road 3185, had been taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center’s emergency room in Longview on Feb. 4 through a hospice referral, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators learned the woman had been left sitting in a chair for two weeks in her own waste. At the hospital, staff had to peel her clothing off, causing injuries to her skin, officials said. She suffered multiple serious medical conditions as a result of the neglect and was placed under the care of Adult Protective Services, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Following interviews and an extensive investigation, authorities identified Riggs as the suspect. On March 6, investigators obtained an arrest warrant from 114th State District Judge Reeve Jackson.