Missouri woman found fused to recliner in home

Potemkin · 11-10-2011, 10:06 PM

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20111110/D9QTJCLG0.html

Missouri woman found fused to recliner in home
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Nov 9, 9:26 PM (ET)

HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A suburban Kansas City woman was left sitting in a vinyl recliner for so long that her skin had fused to the chair and she had to be pried out to be taken to a hospital after suffering an apparent stroke, authorities said.

Carol F. Brown's adult son told a state official he had left his 74-year-old mother in the chair for five days without helping her get up to use the bathroom or bathe because he was honoring her wishes to die in her Independence home, according to court documents that described the woman as a "rotting corpse that was still breathing." Brown later died.

lisa · 11-10-2011, 11:29 PM

I hope to see charges pending against her son...elder abuse is as disgusting to me as child abuse.

Feather · 11-10-2011, 11:35 PM

He could still honor her wishes while helping her stay clean and use the bathroom or a pan. My SIL kept her DH at home because he wanted to die there and she kept him clean and dry. She also would roll him part way over to keep him from getting bedsores.

rb. · 11-10-2011, 11:48 PM

Huh. Well, we weren't able to get my Dad to clean himself, allow anyone to help him, and all pertinent agencies weren't ready to take him on...he still had the "capacity" to say no. Within a couple of months, he was likely a day or so from death, and finally couldn't say no. Do you have any idea what an unwashed body smells like at 1 year? Don't be too quick to judge the family/friends/neighbours.

Feather · 11-11-2011, 11:34 PM

Sorry you had to go thru all of that rb. I just didn't see where she didn't want any help to be clean. I understand how a body would smell after that amount of time but lucky for me have not had to be in your place. DH had a friend that only washed up when he was in the hospital. He was homeless but had a standing invitation to shower and wash clothes at our place, ride to and from and a meal all when ever he wanted. It's sad when people loose the will or ability to take care of them selves.