January 1, West Virginia Woman Charged After Leaving Husband on Toilet for 19 Hours

Wyatt’s Take

• Authorities say this elderly man was left suffering alone for nearly a full day while his wife went about her business.
• The case shows what happens when family responsibility breaks down and the most vulnerable are left without care.
• Heartland families have always taken care of their own. This story is a tragic reminder of what goes wrong when that duty is ignored.

A West Virginia woman now faces serious criminal charges after investigators say she left her frail, dementia-stricken husband stuck on the toilet for 19 hours without food, water, or medication.

Margaret Rog, 75, was arrested and charged with abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult in the death of her 76-year-old husband.

According to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Office, the man went to the bathroom around 3 p.m. on August 20 but could not get up on his own because of his severe health issues including dementia, Alzheimer’s, and legal blindness.

Investigators claim Rog knew her husband needed help but deliberately chose not to call anyone or offer assistance.

“The man was left unattended and unresponsive for 19 hours without food, water or his prescribed medications.”

Deputies say Rog watched her husband groan in pain but went to bed anyway, leaving him stuck on the toilet overnight.

The next morning a speech therapist arrived for a scheduled home visit and found the man in terrible condition, leading to an emergency hospital trip.

Doctors diagnosed heart failure, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, sepsis and other life-threatening conditions. The man died in the hospital on August 31.

Investigators determined the injuries from being left on the toilet were significant contributing factors in his death.

Rog pleaded not guilty and posted a $75,000 bond.

Wyatt Matters

America was built on families looking after each other, especially when times get hard. When that duty gets cast aside, the results can be heartbreaking and deadly. Strong communities still believe in taking care of their own instead of turning away.