A West Virginia woman allegedly left her frail, seriously ill husband sitting on a toilet for 19 hours, a decision investigators say played a significant role in his death.
Margaret Rog, 75, was arrested Tuesday and charged with abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult in connection with the death of her 76-year-old husband.
Rog’s husband had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and legal blindness, according to authorities. The Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office alleges she left him on the toilet overnight last month, resulting in severe medical complications that contributed to his death, WDTV reported.
He went to the bathroom at about 3 p.m. on Aug. 20. Afterward, Rog allegedly could not get him up from the toilet.
Margaret Rog faces a charge of abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult. (West Virginia Department of Corrections)
Rather than seek assistance, Rog allegedly left her husband alone and unresponsive for 19 hours without food, water or his prescribed medication, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said Rog heard her husband groaning in pain but did not call for help. She later went to bed while he remained stranded on the toilet, according to the allegations.
At approximately 10 a.m. the next day, a speech therapist arrived for a scheduled in-home visit and found the man unresponsive and in extremely poor condition, WDTV reported, citing court documents.
The therapist called an ambulance, and the man was taken to a hospital.
Rog allegedly left her husband, who had dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and legal blindness, sitting on the toilet overnight. (Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office)
Doctors diagnosed him with multiple serious conditions, including heart failure, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, hypernatremia, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
Court records also indicate that he had wounds on his backside, difficulty breathing and an altered mental state.
He died at the hospital on Aug. 31.
Investigators determined that his medical condition and injuries associated with being left on the toilet were “significant contributing factors” in his death, WDTV reported.
The seriously ill man died at 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.
