‘He neglected her’: Gallatin man accused of selling dying wife’s medication

GALLATIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Gallatin man was taken into custody after police said he was selling medication that was prescribed to his terminally ill wife.

According to the Gallatin Police Department, the incident began as a drug investigation, but quickly turned into much more.

Authorities told News 2 officers conducted what they call a “soft search” on Thursday, July 31, after receiving information that a woman inside a residence might be terminally ill, which is what led to the low-level knock and entry.

When officers entered the home, they reportedly found a woman in the living room lying in a hospital bed.

“She was being neglected. We had her removed from the house to get her medical treatment,” said GPD Captain Lamar Ballard. “The sad thing is, you had a vulnerable, nonverbal adult who could not take care of herself, and her husband is using her and selling her medication.”

The woman’s husband—identified as 64-year-old Timothy Puckett—was taken into custody and charged with neglect of an elderly adult and maintaining a drug house.

According to police, the 64-year-old was neglecting his wife and selling her pain medication, including Oxycodone and Ativan.

“This is a sad situation, when you think your loved ones are caring for you and they are actually neglecting you, that is a sad situation,” added Ballard.

Meanwhile, a second man renting at the home—identified as 25-year-old Kyson Deyhle—was also taken into custody. He was charged with possession with intent to sell cocaine and marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Officers described Deyhle’s behavior as “belligerent” as he was being walked to a police vehicle, adding that he kicked the windows, which led him to also being charged with resisting arrest.

“You appear to have rescued a woman who really needed rescuing,” stated News 2’s Andy Cordan.

“Absolutely, this lady was a nonverbal, vulnerable adult who had to rely on the care of her caregiver, which was in fact her husband, and he neglected her,” said Ballard.

The woman is now in the custody of Adult Protectives Services, officials said.

According to booking records, Deyhle remains jailed on a $400,000 bond. Meanwhile, Puckett has since been released on bond.