Tragedy unfolded in Lowell, Arkansas, as authorities discovered a 29-year-old blind woman dead in what they described as shocking and saddening conditions.
David Whitten, 73, who had adopted six adults with disabilities faces multiple charges following the discovery at his home. Emergency responders were called Friday when the young woman, who had Fraser syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, was found unresponsive. Despite Whitten's reported attempt to revive his daughter with CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene, as first reported by 4029 News.
Investigators depicted the home as a nightmare of neglect. A flooded area caused by a malfunctioning septic tank, a single filthy toilet, and soiled diapers scattered across the property painted a disturbing scene. Cockroaches reportedly infested the space, with bites on the deceased woman's head adding to the horror.
A detective detailed in a report that the woman's malnourished body appeared to have been staged. A separate room contained a chilling scene: a lone bed, a dress, and blood-stained walls. Authorities also ordered a rape kit to investigate potential sexual assault.
"You hate to see somebody that loses their life, especially at a pretty young age," Benton County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson told 4029 News, "You hate to see people living in poor conditions."
Whitten told police his adopted daughter had been in poor health since Christmas and blamed her weight loss on sporadic eating habits. Despite feeding her high-calorie supplements, he admitted he should have sought help sooner. Police now allege Whitten failed to provide adequate care for his adopted children. He's charged with negligent homicide and six counts of endangering the welfare of an incompetent person.
The five other disabled adults in Whitten's care were taken to a hospital for evaluation and have since been relocated. Authorities emphasized the tragedy highlights systemic issues surrounding vulnerable populations and their caretakers.
Whitten's court appearance set for Feb. 10
While statistics are unclear for the victims specific age range, but nearly 30% of elderly folks with disabilities report experiencing mistreatment. One in three children with disabilities have endured violence.
"Children with disabilities face unacceptably high levels of violence worldwide," said a researcher in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Ilan Cerna-Turoff.
She added, "Protecting children with disabilities from violence is a fundamental aspect of social justice and equity."
Originally published on Latin Times
