Husband Charged After Hospital Finds Live Maggots Inside Woman Before Her Death

CARLETON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) — A southeastern Michigan man has been jailed on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of his wife who authorities said died of gross neglect.

The Detroit Free Press and Monroe News report that 67-year-old Robert Shelton of Carleton in Monroe County was arraigned Monday. He's being held on a $25,000 bond.

State police tell the newspapers that emergency room staff discovered an abscess on the woman's abdomen when the unconscious 61-year-old was taken in June to an area hospital.

The woman had health problems and was obese. She later died from infection and complications from the abscess. Her death was ruled a homicide.

State police said the woman's "abdomen was filled with live maggots," according to the Free Press. The woman weighed about 550 pounds and had diabetes.

Hospital staff found that she was covered in urine and feces.

Police say Shelton was his wife's main caretaker.

Shelton asked Monday for a court-appointed lawyer.

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