Mentally challenged woman starves as her mother lay dead, later dies in hospital

A 32-year-old mentally challenged woman, who spent three days with her dead mother, while not being aware of her death in another part of the house, died in a hospital in Udupi district of Karnataka in south India.

The twin tragedy took place in Kundapur taluk’s Gopadi village.

The mother, Jayanthi B Shetty, 61, is suspected to have died in the bathroom of their house last week, while her daughter Pragathi Shetty, who had not eaten for three days, passed away at a hospital on Saturday (May 18) after all efforts to revive her failed.

Police said Pragathi, who wasn’t married and had diabetes, had undergone leg amputation a few weeks ago and was living with her old mother, also a diabetic. Pragathi had also been undergoing treatment for her mental illness for the past few years.

It is suspected that Jayanthi had a fall in the bathroom, and her death went unnoticed since the doors of the house remained closed and no one visited their house the last three days.

The neighbours on Thursday noticed a stench emanating from the house and attempted to contact Jayanthi. However, after several calls went unanswered, they informed the police.

The police team on May 16, led by police sub-inspector Vinaya K, found daughter Pragathi unconscious and in a critical condition. They broke open the door to rescue her and rushed her to the hospital.

When the police team looked for the source of the stench, it found her mother’s body in the bathroom. The presence of maggots on Jayanthi’s body suggested that she may have passed away at least three days earlier.

A case has been registered at the Kundapur Town police station, with investigations underway about the cause of death.

The heartbreaking incident has exposed the vulnerability of families comprising of elderly parents and dependent children suffering from mental health issues.

(With inputs from agencies)