Disabled Woman Left in 100 Degree Room Dies; Mother, Sister Charged

By: Naimah Jabali-Nash
Topics: Daily Blotter

Helene Hutchinson (Jersey City Police)

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBS/AP) Northern New Jersey police have charged the mother and sister of a bedridden, disabled woman with neglect after she was found dead inside their dirty, roach-infested Jersey City home.

The 33-year-old victim was Wendy Garland according to The Jersey Journal, who had cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

She was found Thursday around 12:30 p.m., her eyes open in an unventilated room where the temperature had reached a scorching 100 degrees.

Helene Hutchinson, the victim's 45-year-old sister and Florence Garland, the victim's 78-year-old mother, served as Garland's primary caregivers.

Police said Hutchinson's home reeked of urine and was reportedly swarming with roaches, flying insects, and spoiled food, said local station WPIX.

According to WPIX, neither woman called 911 for nearly two hours so they could move the victim's body to the front door - away from her vile living conditions - before paramedics arrived. According to the Jersey Journal, police said that when a family member asked Hutchinson Thursday afternoon if she called 911, Hutchinson said "No, because she is dead."

Autopsy results have not been released.

"It's a shame that family members who are in charge of taking care of a family member who can't take care of herself can commit a crime like this," Police Director Sam Jefferson told the Jersey Journal. "It's unimaginable how much pain this woman must have gone through."

Authorities took the mother and sister to the Hudson County Jail. Both women have been charged with neglect of an elderly or disabled person. It is unknown whether they have retained legal counsel.

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by Wildwood1966 July 13, 2010 2:12 PM EDT: agree with all - not sure how her quality of life was but doesn't sound too good - Her mother was probably depending on the sister/daughter to take care of her sister - doesn't seem like she could have handled this - she will be happier in heaven there are no diseases there - only streets of Gold.; Reply to this comment


by dcheryl83 July 13, 2010 8:48 AM EDT: I have a dog I won't leave outside during the day cause temps reach the mid 90's around here - these people did this to a human being?? I can't even comprehend this.; Reply to this comment


by esbeesue July 13, 2010 8:23 AM EDT: from he description of the living conditions, these people probably did not know or care to take care of themselves in a proper fashion, let alone take care of someone with special needs. I am sure there are many many other situations like this out there.; Reply to this comment


by kastner64 July 13, 2010 1:22 AM EDT: It may be a challenging situation, but you can still make sure, the person is clean, fed, and has as much fresh air as possible. That they knew they were behaving criminally is clear from their attempt to deceive the police by delaying 911. - I suspect they just wanted to receive the dead woman's social paychecks without giving value for it.; Reply to this comment


by linfinster July 13, 2010 12:50 AM EDT: Not everyone can afford a nursing home. They had to do it themselves, I'm sure. But to allow the temp to get that high, allow her to exist in filth and insects is disgusting!; Reply to this comment


by askagain July 12, 2010 10:20 PM EDT: This whole thing is so sad. The dead woman suffered from Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. What type of life is this? Without knowing much detail, it doesn't sound like her mother and sister were living in very good conditions. The quality of life for this family sounds terrible. How could these caregivers be expected to take care of a totally disabled woman. This is a challenge even for nursing home staff.; Reply to this comment