Son is arrested after death of elderly woman identified as abandoned in Lages, Santa Catarina

Elcy Rodenbusch, an 85-year-old woman, was identified in Lages, in the Serra de Santa Catarina, after being found in a serious situation of abandonment and covered in feces. The woman, rescued in precarious conditions, did not survive and died on Tuesday, May 7th.

The Santa Catarina Military Police (PMSC) reported that Elcy showed clear signs of mistreatment, with severely compromised hygiene and multiple bruises spread across her body. Upon discovery, the victim’s son, who was responsible for his care, was detained by authorities.

In his statement to the police, the son stated that he lived with his mother and took care of her, but reported that, on the Saturday before the rescue, Elcy had fallen and locked herself in her room. He attributed his mother’s isolation to a “severe flu” that affected her.

He also mentioned having proposed hiring a caregiver to help with daily needs, such as bathing, but Elcy reportedly refused the help. After this refusal, he claimed to have lost direct contact with her within his own residence.

After being found at her home, Elcy Rodenbusch was taken to Tereza Ramos Hospital, where she received medical care. However, despite efforts, the elderly woman died on the same Tuesday she was rescued.

Military police officer Marcos Paulo Rangel stated that, considering the state of health and the conditions in which Elcy was found, the evidence suggests that the situation of abandonment and mistreatment was not an isolated or recent fact, but rather a problem that had been going on for some time.