Elderly woman rescued from squalid conditions…
CENTERVILLE – At first, police and rescue encountered odors and squalid conditions as they responded to help an elderly female last evening…
The woman, described as being in her 70s, was all alone and did not have any relatives, except for a daughter who now lived in another state. It was that daughter who notified police about her mother’s current conditions…
The elderly woman was said not to be feeling well. She had lost hope and was reportedly severely depressed.
Inside the home, first responders found filth, cobwebs, and deplorable uninhabitable conditions. It’s uncertain whether or not the water to the house had been completely turned off, but plastic buckets were now being used as toilets.
Police and rescue workers needed to enter in order to carry the woman out and onto a stretcher. While doing so, one first responder stepped in a bucket that was being used as a toilet. He had to immediately change his uniform and be decontaminated, due to contact and exposure to human waste…
The woman was then taken to CCH for much needed care and treatment.
Police also became concerned about the possibility of pets being inside living in the same deplorable conditions. They observed at least one cat and Barnstable Animal Control was summoned to the scene to access the situation. AC decided they would need to return and set at least one trap to capture the cat.
The health department also responded and declared the home uninhabitable, placing a notice on every door, with strict orders to keep out.
Once rescuing the woman, it was determined it would be unsafe for anyone to reenter the dwelling without the protection of a full HAZMAT suit.
The entire property suffered from deferred maintenance. The yard was overgrown with vines. There was a gaping hole in one part of the roof near the eves…
It looked as if the home was once very nice at one time… the neighborhood is certainly a highly sought-after location…
What is astounding – as you can observe in the video – the woman’s home was in the middle of what would be considered a very desirable neighborhood, where neighbors obviously take great pride in their yards and homes. What caused things to deteriorate at the aforementioned home is uncertain, but it didn’t happen overnight. Did anyone notice this situation beforehand?
When was the last time anyone darkened this poor woman’s doorstep? Did anyone know what was going on?
When considering the entire situation and conditions, the one word that keeps coming to mind is “neglect.” Neglect of the house… neglect of the property… neglect of the cat (or cats)… but most of all, the neglect of this elderly woman.
Police and others involved in this case are concerned about outpatient care and healthy accommodations once this woman is discharged from CCH…
The only consolation, is that perhaps she will now receive the help she needs.
It was a very disturbing and sad situation, to say the least.
The following video highlights the scene… [press play… and select HD in the settings…]
12/30/2014
Robert Bastille,
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