Wife charged for leaving husband with dementia home alone while she went out with friends, police say

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. [CBS7]

North Charleston police arrested a 66-year-old woman Sunday evening after discovering her husband in distressing circumstances while she was away socializing with acquaintances.

Officers were dispatched to a residence for a welfare check after a concerned caller reported an elderly man positioned alone on the front porch. Upon arrival, law enforcement detected an overwhelming stench emanating from the property even before approaching the entrance. The officers found the man in a state of confusion, unable to communicate effectively with responders, which led them to summon emergency medical services to the scene.

The victim bore visible signs of physical trauma, including bloodstains on his body. During their investigation, police learned from Teresa Marie Mills that her spouse suffers from dementia. Mills acknowledged to authorities that he had sustained a fall the previous day but stated she had neither sought emergency services nor contacted a physician regarding the incident. She also admitted to departing the home that evening to dine with friends, leaving her husband unattended.

The interior of the residence revealed conditions authorities described as unfit for habitation. Officers documented evidence of human waste throughout multiple rooms and observed indications of pest infestation. The unsanitary environment, combined with the victim's medical condition and physical injuries, prompted authorities to take protective measures.

The husband was placed in emergency protective custody and transported to a local medical facility for evaluation and treatment. Mills was taken into custody and booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. She now faces charges related to neglecting and abusing a dependent adult.