An east Alabama woman is behind bars, accused of neglecting of her disabled teen daughter.

Shana Bennett, 37, is charged with felony neglect of a dependent, Etowah County Sheriff Jonathon Horton announced Thursday.

Bennett was booked into the Etowah County Jail on Wednesday. Her bond is set at $20,000.

Horton said the investigation began Feb. 21 when sheriff’s investigators were alerted by the Alabama Department of Human Resources to concerns of abuse and neglect of Bennett’s 19-year-old daughter, who is a severely disabled and nonverbal.

Investigators went to the family’s home on Sligo Road in the Egypt community and found the victim in “dire” condition.

“She was suffering from multiple pressure sores, an ill-maintained feeding tube, and breathing difficulties,” Horton said.

Her health was so critical, authorities said, emergency medical services transported her to UAB Hospital where she was admitted into the Intensive Care Unit.

DHR immediately petitioned the Etowah County Probate Court for an emergency placement and guardianship.

During the court hearing on Feb. 20, Shana Bennett admitted to the neglect of her daughter, Horton said. That’s when she was charged with the Class B felony.

“This is a heartbreaking case of neglect involving a vulnerable individual who depended entirely on others for her care,” Horton said. “We are grateful for the swift action taken by DHR and our investigators to intervene and ensure (the victim) receives the care she so desperately needs.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with additional information related to the case is asked to call the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office.