Son and daughter-in-law to stand trial of tragic grandmother death
A GRANDMOTHER left to die in a filthy pit of squalor was ignored by her family as she cried out for help in the months before her tragic death.
Law & Order
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A GRANDMOTHER left to die in a filthy pit of squalor was ignored by her family as she cried out for help in the months before her tragic death.
In a case that has horrified authorities, the 83-year-old was left bedridden for three months, hadn’t eaten for 14 days and hadn’t had her nappy changed for a week when she was found dead.
The woman had been living in a nursing home but had moved in with her son and daughter-in-law who took over as her carers.
They have now been charged in connection with her 2013 death.
When police were called to the home after the death they reported finding a filthy bedroom with dirty sheets and a rotten mattress.
Flies had infested the room while food scraps and general rubbish was strewn across the floor “causing a severe stench”, they reported.
In the lead up to her death police allege the woman frequently screamed out in pain, but was ignored.
Despite having a history of monthly visits to her doctor, the woman hadn’t had any medical attention for more than 12 months, and had visited her GP just four times in three years.
She weighed about 34kg at the time of her death.
She had suffered a stroke in the weeks before her death but no one phoned an ambulance and she received no treatment.
It left her unable to communicate efficiently or swallow and she lost hand-eye coordination.
“The circumstances described of (her) life in the 12 months prior to death are consistent with severe neglect and/or elder abuse,” geriatrician Professor Joseph Ibrahim said in a report for police.
Prof Ibrahim said there was evidence to suggest serious physical, financial and social neglect of the woman.
He said the evidence showed she had been confined to her bedroom, and bed, and had all social contact with others stopped.
Prof Ibrahim said there was no apparent reason for the woman stopping prescribed medication or visits to her GP.
When she was found the woman was covered in bumps, bruises and abrasions from suffering frequent seizures and scabs from constantly scratching herself.
Today her son, 50, and daughter-in-law, 45, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were committed to stand trial in connection to her death.
They each pleaded not guilty to charges of failing to seek medical assistance placing the woman in danger of death or serious injury.
They were bailed to appear at the County Court tomorrow.