The wheelchair-bound man said he was staying in the complex’s laundry room to stay warm.
SAN ANTONIO — A disabled San Antonio man is trying to get his life back on track after he says he was abandoned by his mother.
According to police, the woman was his primary caretaker, helping him with the most basic tasks. But as his family faced eviction, he was told he had to go it alone.
His mother, Pamela Gutierrez, is now facing criminal charges.
Adam Gutierrez, 36, says he wanted to share his story not for revenge or spite, but because he hopes it will help him heal from the pain he’s been suffering.
“I get angry. I get depressed,” he said. “I find myself at times crying.”
Adam Gutierrez says that in January, he and his family were facing eviction from their apartment on the northwest side.
“We get down to about two weeks and they’re packing up and mom’s like, ‘You have to find a place to go,’” he said.
Adam suffers from cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis, requiring a caregiver for most daily tasks.
He says he tried calling Medicare to find somewhere to go.
“There’s no group homes. I’ve called these places, nobody’s answering,” said Adam.
Days before the eviction, he said, his family found a new apartment.
“Still (she said), ‘You’ve got to find a place to go.’ I couldn’t find no one and they ended up leaving,” he said.
Adam says he remembers that day for how cold it was. Over the next few days, he found himself sleeping in the laundry room to keep warm.
Days after he was abandoned by his family, he went to a neighbor’s apartment to ask for help. He said he was hungry and had soiled himself.
The neighbor fed him, but was unable to physically care for him. So she called police.
According to a police report, law enforcement contacted Pamela Gutierrez.
Police say Gutierrez admitted to leaving Adam at the complex due to his age. She claimed he knows how to take care of himself and could figure it out for himself.
But police arrested Gutierrez for intentionally knowingly abandoning him, without an intent to return.
“When EMS found me, I was already hypothermic,” said Adam.
Adam says he was taken to University Hospital and eventually found his way to the nursing home, where he resides now. He says he feels like he doesn’t belong there.
”I still have a life to live. I still go to school,” he said.
Adam is currently attending Texas A&M University San Antonio, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology after receiving an associate’s degree from Palo Alto College.
“I’m still on top of my game and I’m still ready to continue with my bachelor’s, going on to be a football coach. That’s what I’m going to do,” he said.
Adam is starting to rebuild his life. He dreams of one day starting a foundation to help other physically challenged individuals who have the mental capacity that he does, so their voices can be heard.
If you would like to help Adam, as he gets his life back on track, you can click here. If you’re unable to contribute financially, but want to help in other ways, contact him by calling 726-241-2564 or emailing crushcitty713@icloud.com.