A bizarre and shocking incident unfolded in Memphis, Tennessee, when a man was arrested for allegedly breaking into his mother’s home and flushing his brother’s ashes down the toilet.
The drama began on Friday when Memphis police were called to an apartment complex in the city’s northeast suburbs after reports of a break-in. According to an arrest affidavit, 33-year-old Adell Totten was accused of smashing a window to get into his mother’s home. Once inside, he reportedly took down her indoor security cameras and caused further chaos.
His mother told police that Adell went on to flush the ashes of his brother, Dantelle Totten, down the toilet. Dantelle passed away in July 2023 at the age of 33, as noted in his obituary. The devastating act left the family heartbroken.
What’s more, Adell didn’t flee the scene after the alleged crime. He stayed there, and police arrested him on the spot. He was taken to the Shelby County Jail, with his bond set at $5,000. Officers also noted that Adell allegedly stole a $10 cap from the home. It’s important to mention that Adell didn’t live with his mother and had been legally banned from being on the property.
Adell is now facing charges of aggravated battery and abuse of a corpse. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
This wasn’t Adell’s first run-in with the law. Records show he was just released from jail earlier this month after serving time for a similar crime. On June 19, he reportedly threw a brick through the window of his mother’s neighbor’s home, causing $5,300 worth of damage. That incident was caught on surveillance video, and police confirmed Adell’s involvement.
He was found guilty of vandalism on January 5 and sentenced to 190 days in jail, which he had already served. To make matters worse, Adell had a history of showing up at his mother’s apartment complex despite being banned, which led to repeated arrests last year.
This tragic and troubling series of events has left the family and the community shaken as they grapple with the emotional and legal fallout of the situation.
