2 Accused Of Beating Cancer Patient, Stealing Pills

LAPEL, Ind. -- Police said two brothers tipped off by a friend that a woman dying of cancer was taking painkillers broke into her home and beat her with a golf club when she refused to turn over her medications.

Timothy A. Parker (pictured, left), 18, and his brother, Christopher G. Parker (pictured, right), 20, stole about 150 prescription pills -- including methadone, Soma and Xanax -- from the home of Brenda Whetsel, 60, according to a probable cause affidavit filed Monday.

The document said they also took about $180 from Whetsel's home.

A judge on Monday approved prosecutors' request for a three-day extension to file formal charges against Timothy Parker, who is being held at the Madison County jail on $35,000 bond.

Christopher Parker is being held in the Hamilton County jail on a probation violation and charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

Jim Neve, chief deputy prosecutor, said Tuesday that both brothers would be formally charged Thursday but declined to say what charges they might face as the police investigation continues.

Lapel Police Chief Dennis Molina said the brothers went to Whetsel's Lapel home late Thursday night after a friend told them the woman, who is terminally ill with cancer, was taking several medications.

They allegedly broke into her home wearing ski masks and found Whetsel in her bathroom, according to the probable cause affidavit. She refused to give the brothers her medication and she grabbed Timothy Parker by his sweatshirt, the document states.

Timothy Parker allegedly began punching Whetsel in the chest before his brother beat her with a golf club he had found on the home's back porch, the document states.

"They rushed in the bathroom and wanted me to give them drugs," Whetsel said. "I told them I didn't have any drugs. They didn't care and started beating me with a golf club."

Whetsel, who suffered two broken fingers, several bruises and cuts and possibly a broken knuckle, was treated at an Anderson hospital and released, Molina said.

He said Christopher Parker called out to his brother, using his name, during the attack. That information, including other tips, led to their arrests Friday.

Christopher Parker denied involvement and said he doesn't know why police think he was there.

"It's a shock to me," Christopher Parker said.

Police said there could be more arrests in the case.