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

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/Gray News) — A South Carolina woman is accused of going out to dinner with friends while she left her disabled husband home alone in “deplorable” conditions, police said.

Teresa Marie Mills, 66, is charged with neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult.

The North Charleston Police Department arrested Mills on Sunday night.

Officers responded to the home for a welfare check after receiving a call about an older man who was sitting alone on the porch.

When they arrived, officers reported smelling “a strong, overwhelming odor” coming from the house before they even reached the porch.

Police said the man was disoriented and unable to communicate clearly, prompting them to call EMS.

Officers said the victim was visibly injured and had blood on his body.

Police were able to contact Mills, who told officers that her husband has dementia.

Mills also told police that her husband fell on Saturday, but she did not contact a doctor or call 911. She also reportedly told officers that she went out to dinner with friends that night, leaving her husband home alone.

Inside the home, officers said the living conditions were “deplorable.” Police reported finding feces and urine stains throughout the home and signs of rodents.

The man was placed in emergency protective custody and taken to an area hospital for medical treatment.

Mills was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center.