Grady Judd Details Violent Murder of Elderly Man at Bartow Group Home

Violent Murder Investigation

• 🚨 Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd provided an update on the murder of an 81-year-old man at an independent living facility in Bartow.
• 🔪 The victim was found deceased with multiple stab wounds, indicating a violent death.
• 📍 The incident occurred at ET Home Care on Bluebird Avenue, an independent living care facility.

Suspect and Motive

• 👤 The suspect, 18-year-old Moses O'Hita, was taken into custody.
• 🗣️ O'Hita confessed to stabbing the victim 113 times, stating that voices in his head told him to kill.
• 🔪 He admitted the knife was not sharp, contributing to the numerous wounds.
• 🧠 O'Hita has been diagnosed with ADHD, bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, autism, and anxiety.

Circumstances of the Crime

• 🏠 O'Hita arrived at the facility just five hours before the murder, having been released from a Baker Act stay.
• ⚠️ His mother had instructed the facility to hide knives due to his history of violence.
• 🔪 Despite the warning, O'Hita found the knives and committed the murder while the victim was asleep.
• 🧼 After the stabbing, O'Hita washed himself and the knife, then hid the bloody clothing.

Facility and Background

• 🏡 ET Home Care is an independent living facility with no direct supervision of residents.
• 📅 O'Hita had been Baker Acted six times in the past year, with his last stay lasting nearly two weeks, indicating a substantial need for help.
• ⚠️ The facility owners had decided to return O'Hita to his mother due to his behavior, unaware of the overnight murder.
• ⚖️ Sheriff Judd emphasized that despite mental health issues, O'Hita had clear criminal intent and is responsible for his actions.
• ❓ The investigation is ongoing, with questions about state regulation of independent living facilities.