A 26-year-old lady north-west of Adelaide who had “significant physical and intellectual disabilities” has away, and the South Australian police have begun a criminal investigation into her death.
The victim was allegedly “living in squalor” at the Port Augusta residence, according to detectives.
According to Detective Superintendent Des Bray, who is in head of the Major Crime Investigation Branch, there are indications of significant criminal neglect, as he informed the media this afternoon. Monday was the woman’s death date at Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Bray added that she suffered from “underlying health issues.”
According to him, the police are looking into her death to see if it was due to criminal carelessness and, if so, who may be held accountable.
That or the woman’s severe preexisting conditions may have been the cause of her death, according to Bray.
“The victim lived with her mum, in a house in the street, and required ongoing care and support,” according to him.
“Obviously, mum lives with her daughter and obviously supports her but there may be other people who had a role in providing care.”
Last Thursday, an ambulance was dispatched to the residence on Edinburgh Terrace due to reports that the patient had fallen and was unable to be lifted back up into her chair.
“When they arrived they found the victim was suffering a serious medical condition and had open wounds and sores and that the house was in squalid conditions,” according to Bray.
She was airlifted to Adelaide’s critical care unit after being transported to a hospital in Port Augusta.
Unfortunately, the next day, her condition worsened even further.
The following day, medical personnel notified the authorities, who then searched the residence.
A significant crime has been declared in her death.
According to Bray, the NDIS does not cover her, and the police have been unable to locate her care plan.
He claimed they had no idea who else was assisting with her care.
