Norman caretaker arrested

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A Norman caretaker is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say he abused the 69-year-old man he cared for and buried his body after he died.

Donald Patterson also is accused of getting drugs after the death of Virgil John Alexander by using his prescriptions. The Oklahoman reports Patterson also tried to refinance Alexander’s house.

Prosecutors have filed several charges against Patterson, including abuse by a caretaker and unlawful removal of a body. They say the victim’s health began to decline around February 2014, but Patterson didn’t take him to the hospital.

Norman police began investigating Alexander’s disappearance after his family said they hadn’t heard from him. Police later found Alexander’s body buried in his backyard.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Patterson has an attorney yet.