Man Arrested After Wife Left Lying On Floor For Months
Woman Hospitalized In Intensive Care
POSTED: 8:52 a.m. EDT July 24, 2003
UPDATED: 8:56 a.m. EDT July 24, 2003
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police said a man left his wheelchair-bound wife lying on the floor of their home for months until the woman was literally adhered to the living-room carpet.
Robert Swartz told officers his wife awakened him by screaming incoherently Tuesday morning. Swartz called an ambulance to the home. Paramedics who responded called police after finding the woman lying on the floor in her own excrement.
Police officers said woman was found with several open sores on her body, with bone exposed in some places, and live maggots infesting the wounds. The 44-year-old woman was taken to a hospital, where she remains in intensive care.
Swartz was charged with one count of elder abuse in the case. Authorities believe the case constitutes elder abuse despite the woman's age because she had been confined to a wheelchair for 10 years, KMBC-TV reported.
Police said the home had no air conditioning, but plenty of beer was located throughout the residence. Dog excrement was also found on the floor. Court documents said the residence "clearly had been neglected from any type of cleaning whatsoever."
A doctor in the emergency room told police the woman had a severe bacterial infection and was malnourished and dehydrated.
Swartz admitted he was aware of his wife's condition, but said she didn't like doctors and that he was following her wishes by not taking her to a hospital. Police said he told them his wife had been on the floor since May. If convicted, Swartz could face a maximum of five to 15 years in prison.
Robert Swartz told officers his wife awakened him by screaming incoherently Tuesday morning. Swartz called an ambulance to the home. Paramedics who responded called police after finding the woman lying on the floor in her own excrement.
Police officers said woman was found with several open sores on her body, with bone exposed in some places, and live maggots infesting the wounds. The 44-year-old woman was taken to a hospital, where she remains in intensive care.
Swartz was charged with one count of elder abuse in the case. Authorities believe the case constitutes elder abuse despite the woman's age because she had been confined to a wheelchair for 10 years, KMBC-TV reported.
Police said the home had no air conditioning, but plenty of beer was located throughout the residence. Dog excrement was also found on the floor. Court documents said the residence "clearly had been neglected from any type of cleaning whatsoever."
A doctor in the emergency room told police the woman had a severe bacterial infection and was malnourished and dehydrated.
Swartz admitted he was aware of his wife's condition, but said she didn't like doctors and that he was following her wishes by not taking her to a hospital. Police said he told them his wife had been on the floor since May. If convicted, Swartz could face a maximum of five to 15 years in prison.
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