A West Virginia woman is accused of leaving her frail, seriously ill husband stranded on a toilet for 19 hours, a situation that contributed to health complications and his death roughly 10 days later, according to authorities and court records.
Margaret Rog, 75, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly leaving her 76-year-old husband in the bathroom overnight. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office said the ordeal resulted in serious medical conditions that contributed to his death, WDTV reported.
Her husband went to the bathroom at about 3 p.m. on Aug. 20 but was unable to get off the toilet. Rather than seek assistance, Rog allegedly left him there, unattended and unresponsive, for 19 hours without food, water or his prescribed medication, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities said Rog watched as her husband, who had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and legal blindness, groaned in pain. She allegedly failed to call for help and later went to bed while he remained trapped in the bathroom.
The following morning, at around 10 a.m., a speech therapist arrived for a scheduled in-home visit. The therapist found the man unresponsive and in dangerously poor condition and called an ambulance, according to court records obtained by the outlet.
He was taken to a hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with multiple serious conditions, including heart failure, respiratory failure, a pulmonary embolism, hypernatremia, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
Medical personnel also found wounds on his backside, shortness of breath and an altered mental state, the records said.
He died in the hospital 10 days later, on Aug. 31.
Investigators concluded that the man’s medical condition and injuries suffered while he was left on the toilet were “significant contributing factors” in his death, according to the outlet.
Court documents allege that Rog made several statements during the investigation that implicated her, including comments to law enforcement, adult protection services and family members.
Rog also allegedly acknowledged that she knew her husband needed assistance but intentionally chose not to provide it.
Rog was arrested Tuesday and charged with abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult, according to online arrest records maintained by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office.
She pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday and was released after posting $75,000 bond, online court records show.
The Post contacted the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office seeking additional information.
