A neglectful West Virginia wife is accused of leaving her frail, ailing husband on the toilet for 19 hours, which ultimately led to his death about a week later, according to cops and reports.
Margaret Rog, 75, was arrested Tuesday after she left her 76-year-old husband on the can overnight, resulting in serious health conditions that contributed to his death, the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office said, WDTV reported.
After her husband went to the bathroom around 3 p.m. on Aug. 20, Rog was unable to help him off the toilet. Instead of calling for help, she left him unattended and unresponsive for 19 hours without food, water or his prescribed medications, according to the sheriff.
Rog watched her husband — who suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s and legal blindness — groan in pain, did not call anyone for help, and later took herself to bed while her sickly husband was stuck on the loo, authorities said.
The next morning around 10 a.m., a speech therapist arrived for an in-home visit with Rog’s husband and called an ambulance after discovering the ailing man unresponsive and in dangerously poor condition, according to court records obtained by the outlet.
Her husband was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a slew of conditions — including heart failure, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, hypernatremia, sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.
The sickened man was also found with wounds on his backside, shortness of breath and an altered mental status, according to the records.
He died at the hospital 10 days later on Aug. 31.
Investigators determined the elderly man’s condition and injuries sustained from being left on the toilet were “significant contributing factors” to his death, the outlet reported.
Rog allegedly made several self-incriminating statements to law enforcement, adult protection services and family members throughout the investigation, according to court documents.
The callous wife also allegedly indicated she was aware of her husband’s need for assistance but deliberately decided against providing any aid.
Rog was arrested Tuesday on charges of abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult, according to online arrest records from the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office.
The wife pleaded not guilty in court Tuesday and posted a $75,000 bond, online court records show.
The Post reached out to the Monongalia County Prosecutor’s Office for additional information.
