Woman charged after husband dies from bite wounds

Saturday, October 19, 2002
Daily Southtown (Chicago area's Southland)

MODESTO, Calif. (AP) — A woman was charged with elder abuse after her husband died from bites police say she inflicted during an argument.

Further tests are pending to determine what caused Arthur Pratt's death six days after the Oct. 7 fight. His skin had more than 20 deep tooth marks, police Sgt. Al Carter said.

Toxicology tests could show whether the bites caused a fatal infection, Carter said.

Arthur Pratt had diabetes, heart and circulation problems, Carter said. He had been hospitalized several days before he was bitten.

A recording of a 911 call made by Pratt includes his screams as his wife bit him repeatedly, Carter said. The argument was over his refusal to have sex with her, according to police.

When police responded to the 911 call, they found Kelli Pratt, 45, biting her husband, 65. She also tried to bite the officers, Carter said.

Kelli Pratt was arraigned on charges of elder abuse, domestic violence and assault on a police officer, prosecutor Carol Shipley said Friday.

Kelli Pratt's attorney, Gerry Smith, declined to comment Friday because he said he had just recently taken her case. She is being held on $50,000 bail.

"This is a different type of case, it is certainly very sad, someone is dead," Shipley said.

Homicide charges could be filed after the test results are complete.

© 2002 Associated Press.