Disgusting Case of Elder Neglect

[RedGlitter]

Police: Woman Dead In Despicable HomePOSTED: 10:45 am EST November 16, 2007

UPDATED: 1:00 pm EST November 16, 2007

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- A 63-year-old woman died after months of lying in her own waste in a maggot-infested bed. Now, her daughter is under investigation for her death.Agnes Cooper suffered from multiple sclerosis and died Nov. 6.Investigators came to the home at 24005 Edinburgh Place in Southfield, two days after her death and found her "severely neglected."Police said she had been bedridden for some time. She had open sores and dead black flesh dropping from her body.According to police, the home was in despicable condition. The refrigerator was standing open, with rotten, moldy food inside. A TV stand was being used as a garbage bin with half-eaten food and paper plates. The home's three bedrooms were filled with trash and old food and clothes piled up. Every bathroom in the home was almost impossible to enter due to trash and debris. The toilet area was full of empty bleach bottles, used sanitary pads, used adult diapers, and used toilet paper.The girl's bed was covered with plastic and had no sheets, blankets or pillows."It's a pretty heinous case of environmental home neglect," said Oakland County Prosecutor David Gorcyca. "It is the worst I've ever seen. The cops couldn't even go in there."Cooper's daughter, Stephanie, 38, is also accused of providing an unsafe environment for her own 9-year-old daughter, who also lived in the home.The stench was so overwhelming that the police, despite wearing face masks, had to leave the home after five minutes, officials said.Neighbors said Cooper was a good person. "She took care of the important things in her life, the people things, herself and her daughter. Yes, she let the house go. Ok, that's what I would do," said neighbor Bob Church.Cooper went to court on Thursday regarding custody of the 9-year-old, who is now in foster care and under the supervision of child protective services.No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

[cars]

One of the ways maybe some good came out of this all is, the old lady is now in a better place!!! (And the young girl is now in a clean environment!)

[Nomad]

No disrespect intended here but this phrase popped into my thoughts as it often does when condemnation flows freely.



"I will not judge a man till I have walked a mile in his moccasins".

[RedGlitter]

That's true, Cars!

Nomad, I'd agree with you about the messy house to a point, but to let a woman in one's care lay in poop so much her skin decayed? I can't hang with that. I'm glad that little girl is out of there though.

[Peg]

Nomad;721726 wrote: No disrespect intended here but this phrase popped into my thoughts as it often does when condemnation flows freely.



"I will not judge a man till I have walked a mile in his moccasins".


What do you feel would be a good reason for the home to be in that condition? I can think of absolutely none.

[Kathy Ellen]

Peg;721832 wrote: What do you feel would be a good reason for the home to be in that condition? I can think of absolutely none.


Red, that is absolutely disgusting and so very sad.



Peg,

Did you ever watch some of these shows on tv where a family asks a tv show to come to their house and clean and organize it. (forgot name of show). They live in absolute filth and chaos....How can they live like that.

I know someone who has the messiest house I've ever seen. It's not necessarily dirty but millions of items are thrown everywhere. Don't know how she lives like that ...it's horrible.

[chonsigirl]

Nomad;721726 wrote: No disrespect intended here but this phrase popped into my thoughts as it often does when condemnation flows freely.



"I will not judge a man till I have walked a mile in his moccasins".


Love you Nomad-but since I have walked that mile and still do, I will make my comment. It is neglect, and no other excuse for it. You work the extra hours to take care of ill family members, and if you can't do it, make sure they are placed in a proper facility that would do these chores. I never asked for what I was given, but accept it I must. And my husband is properly taken care of-and I work "darn" hard at it every day. I will go off on a tangent, but I will make one personal comment. Do you not think I would like a carefree day, like everyone else has? Come home, sit down and watch a TV show, or go out to eat dinner? Have a nice laugh or two, and just rest for an evening? I don't, and probably never will again. I work three jobs, get about 5 hours of sleep and never have a day off. Ever. Not a holiday, or a weekend. A vacation-ghads, what is that? Summer vacation for me is freeing up the money, so I don't have to pay for a nurse. But it is money well spent, I am not denying her that for a minute. But my husband's health comes first, and always will.

They never said life was easy, but you do what you must. That is what makes us human beings, with a conscience.

Sorry to vent, but probably on cranky days here, I am tired and just plain worn out. And would like to be like a normal person again.

I say investigate where that woman spent her time-it obviously was not on the care of the invalid or child.

[Nomad]

Im not saying these conditions are acceptable. In fact I find them deplorable and sickening. Also its very sad when people get thrown away and Im sure its not completely uncommon.

I watch mucho CNN and its changed into celebrity news or some such thing. With all of the horrible things people do to eachother being instantly televised over and over again many of these cases have been tried on tv before bail has been set.



So Im giving it alot of thought lately. Its neither fair nor correct to convict/judge someone without knowing all of the facts.

Thats my point really, were too quick to condemn without knowing the full story.

It is possible there are mitigating circumstances that led up to these conditions.

I dont know.

That also is my point, I dont know.

[chonsigirl]

That is a valid point, not to prejudge. You would make an excellent juror.

And I agree about the news-who cares about these stars, who drink too much, and get all the coverage? I get 20 minutes a day when I can go to the gym, on the stationary bike to plug in the news, I don't want it wasted on them. Otherwise, my husband has the remote at home, he is the patient. And it is a football day......:p

May you never know these things, my dear Nomad.:-4

[Nomad]

chonsigirl;721991 wrote: That is a valid point, not to prejudge. You would make an excellent juror.



And I agree about the news-who cares about these stars, who drink too much, and get all the coverage? I get 20 minutes a day when I can go to the gym, on the stationary bike to plug in the news, I don't want it wasted on them. Otherwise, my husband has the remote at home, he is the patient. And it is a football day......:p



May you never know these things, my dear Nomad.:-4


Im not unlike your husband.

If its Sunday just give me the remote and skidaddle.











Maybe show up at halftime with some fried cheese.

Actually Im getting a teeny tiny taste of what you go through. J is disabled right now with bulging discs and she is immobile. Not to compare the two at all but Ive gotten just a taste.

I actually had to do the laundry today !

[chonsigirl]

It's good for you, my dear. I hope she feels better soon.:-4

I always let him watch the games, he knows the action, and remembers the game well. I just have to get him to root for a winning team......:wah:

[Nomad]

chonsigirl;722010 wrote: It's good for you, my dear. I hope she feels better soon.:-4



I always let him watch the games, he knows the action, and remembers the game well. I just have to get him to root for a winning team......:wah:




:wah:

Yes he should have a team.

Redskins ?

NY Giants ?

NY Jets....no scratch that

NE Patriots ?

[chonsigirl]

Oh, he watches the Redskins and Penn State games every weekend. He has a team, I just want them to win-makes a nicer afternoon for me. I make sure his chores get done before gametime..................:wah: