MIDLAND, Texas — A Midland man is in jail in connection with a homicide investigation.
Tony Jeffery Green has been charged with criminally negligent homicide. He was booked into the Midland County jail on February 26.
According to Midland police, Natishia Nicole Grimes was taken to Midland Memorial Hospital on January 23.
Police responded to the ER after Grimes made claims of neglect, physical abuse and possibly being held against her will to the staff.
However, once police got to the ER she made no such claim to the detectives.
Detectives were again contacted on February 19 in reference to her condition, prompting them to open a new investigation.
The arrest affidavit details a Midland police officer's interaction with a nurse at Midland Memorial Hospital.
The nurse said Grimes was admitted to the Emergency Room and upon seeing her, the nurse's first thought was "This patient is dying."
Green, who told staff he was Grimes's boyfriend, said her normal weight was around 130 pounds. The nurse told police Grimes appeared emaciated and weighed around 93 pounds.
The nurse also told police the victim had poor hygiene, particularly oral. She was unable to speak clearly or swallow due to the amount of dry secretions in and around her mouth.
When Green was answering questions about Grimes and her current condition, the nurse says his answer changed repeatedly concerning when Grimes had last eaten. Answers ranged from two days ago to all the way in Thanksgiving.
Green also told the nurse Grimes had not walked for two to three months.
Grimes's family had visited her in the hospital and told the nurse they had not seen her or been able to find her for over six months. They also said Green had not allowed her to contact her family.
The last time they had seen Grimes was June 2019, when she appeared to be happy and vibrant.
The family said Green had been controlling her for years and they were worried about her living conditions. They also believed she was being held against her will and was being neglected and abused.
Grimes was asked if Green had abused her, hit her or hurt her physically, to which she answered yes. She also told the nurse she was scared of Green.
The nurse told the MPD officer she had received information that Grimes was being held against her will. She also said that Green was keeping her locked in a closet and not letting her eat.
Grimes remained in the hospital until she died on February 15.
Based on information received through interviews, police obtained an arrest warrant for Green. They also issued a search warrant for an address on East Parker, which was executed on February 26.
Following Green's arrest, he admitted to his actions in reference to the criminally negligent homicide.
According to Midland County records, Green has no bond set at this time.