SA police have launched a criminal investigation after the death of a 26-year-old woman with “significant physical and intellectual disabilities” north-west of Adelaide.
Detectives say the victim was “living in squalor” in the home in Port Augusta.
‘We believe there are signs of serious criminal neglect present,” Detective Superintendent Des Bray, officer in charge of the Major Crime Investigation Branch, told media this afternoon.
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The woman died on Monday at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
Bray said she also had ”underlying health issues.”
Police are investigating the circumstances of her death and trying to determine if it was a result of criminal neglect and if so who might be responsible, he said.
Bray said it’s unclear if that caused the woman’s death or if it was caused by her serious underlying health issues.
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”The victim lived with her mum, in a house in the street, and required ongoing care and support,” he said.
“Obviously, mum lives with her daughter and obviously supports her but there may be other people who had a role in providing care.”
An ambulance was called to the home in Edinburgh Terrace last Thursday with reports the victim had had a fall and couldn’t be recovered from the floor and put back into her chair.
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“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,” Bray said.
“She was taken to the Port Augusta hospital in a serious condition
“Sadly the following day her condition deteriorated and she had to be flown to Adelaide in a critical condition.”
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Police were alerted by medical staff the next day, and the house was searched.
Her death has been declared a major crime.
Bray said she was not under the NDIS and police can’t identify any care plan.
He said they didn’t know if there were other people helping care for her.
A coronial examination has also been launched.
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