In South Carolina, a 40-year-old man and his 33-year-old girlfriend have been arrested following the tragic death of his elderly mother. Authorities allege the couple’s severe neglect of the 76-year-old woman led to an untreated ulcer, which forced part of her spine through her skin, culminating in a fatal infection.

Authorities have charged Kevin Carl Clark and Victoria Lynn Delaune with felony abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. The victim has been identified as Dianne Clark, as announced by law enforcement.

The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office detailed in a press release that on July 29, deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to a distress call regarding Dianne Clark, who was found unresponsive at a home on Otranto Road.

First responders arriving at the scene discovered the victim, and paramedics subsequently declared her deceased. Investigators noted it was “apparent” that Clark had been denied essential medical and hygiene care.

The authorities confirmed that Clark and Delaune were responsible for caring for the victim.

A copy of the probable cause affidavit obtained by local CBS affiliate WCSC provided a more detailed accounting the horrific injuries Clark’s mother suffered as a result of the alleged neglect.

In the document, authorities said the victim was living in “highly unsanitary conditions” with fecal matter and other bodily fluids covering much of the area, which was also infested by several different kinds of insects. The victim was said to be wearing a severely soiled adult diaper. Numerous bed sores were visible on the victim’s skin and actively infected with live maggots.

The only medication prescribed to the victim had not been filled since September 2024.

The victim was transported to the Medical University of South Carolina in early August for a post-mortem examination.

“An autopsy of the victim’s remains was later conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina, finding that due to the neglect of her hygiene by her caretakers, an exposed wound was contaminated,” the sheriff’s office wrote in the release. “The final autopsy report of the victim indicated that the cause of death was sepsis due to osteomyelitis (infection of bone or bone marrow).”

Specifically, the victim reportedly suffered from a “stage 4 pressure ulcer” in the lower region of her back that created so much pressure it forced her spinal column to protrude through her skin. The abundant fecal matter on and around the victim contaminated the exposed portion of her spine and allegedly caused the deadly infection.

Both suspects were booked into the Charleston County Jail where they are currently being held without bond, records show. They are both scheduled to make their initial appearances in court on Dec. 19.