A West Virginia woman is accused of leaving her frail, seriously ill husband on a toilet for 19 hours, an ordeal investigators say contributed to his death.
Margaret Rog, 75, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of her 76-year-old husband. She faces a charge of abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult.
Rog allegedly left her husband, who had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and legal blindness, on the toilet overnight last month. The conditions he suffered as a result were serious and contributed to his death, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office said, according to WDTV.
Authorities said the man went to the bathroom at about 3 p.m. on Aug. 20. After he was finished, Rog was unable to help him get off the toilet.
Margaret Rog was charged with abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult. (West Virginia Department of Corrections)
Instead of seeking assistance, investigators allege, Rog left her husband unattended and unresponsive for 19 hours without food, water or his prescribed medication, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said Rog watched her husband groan in pain but did not contact anyone for help. She later went to bed while he remained trapped on the toilet, authorities alleged.
At about 10 a.m. the next day, a speech therapist arrived at the home for a scheduled visit and found the man unresponsive and in critically poor condition, WDTV reported, citing court records.
The therapist called an ambulance, and the man was taken to a hospital.
Authorities allege Margaret Rog left her husband, who had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and legal blindness, on the toilet overnight. (Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office)
He was then diagnosed with several conditions, including heart failure, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, hypernatremia, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
The man was also found to have wounds on his backside, shortness of breath and an altered mental status, according to court records.
He died in the hospital on Aug. 31.
Investigators said the elderly man’s condition and injuries linked to being left on the toilet were “significant contributing factors” to his death, WDTV reported.
The ill man died in the hospital on Aug. 31. (Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office)
Rog allegedly made statements investigators described as self-incriminating to law enforcement, adult protection services and family members over the course of the investigation, according to court documents.
The woman allegedly suggested she was aware of her husband’s need for assistance but deliberately opted against offering any help.
She pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday and posted a $75,000 bond.