Police: Disabled Woman Found Alone, Living in Squalor

Simpsonville Police and the Department of Social Services are investigating a possible case of neglect after a mentally-handicapped woman was found alone and living in squalid conditions, a police report said.

When drivers from a Spartanburg-based ambulance company arrived at the woman's residence to transport her to adult daycare, they tried to make contact by knocking but were met with hollering then silence, the report said.

When police arrived and made entry into the residence they found the woman alone dressed only in a green shirt and a diaper, the report said. Police said the residence appeared to be in "disarray," according to the report.

"Dishes, food and boxes were stacked throughout the house…. There was a chair with what looked to be chicken bones and a canned good opened with a spoon in it… The [ambulance company] employee stated that [the woman] was wheel-chair bound and couldn't properly care for herself. While in the residence… most of the food in the refrigerator was spoiled," the report stated.

Eventually, the woman's mother who serves as her caregiver, arrived at the house and told police the ambulance drivers didn't care about her daughter "they were just being nosey," the report stated.

The mother said she had left the house to go shopping and that she was late because of traffic, the report said.

"We advised her the severity of the situation and she showed no concern," the report stated. Police indicated that the mother gave conflicting stories of her daughter's level of need, saying she had to bathe, feed, and clothe her, then stating her daughter "was self sufficient because she prayed to God [her daughter] be able to care for herself." The mother stated her daughter stays by herself about two hours a day, the report said.

Police called in DSS. The worker assigned to case said she felt "this was a case of neglect," the report stated. However, the caseworker said she was willing to give the mother a "second chance," the report said. The case worker said she would return this week to reevaluate the situation and contact police with the findings of her investigation, the report said.