Inset: Manisha Nath (Chesterfield County Police). Background: The Virginia home where Manisha Nath allegedly neglected and abused her 28-year-old son Somak Nath (WTVR/YouTube).
A Virginia mother is accused of letting her 28-year-old "non verbal" son with autism waste away and die — refusing to feed and take care of him properly, to the point where he weighed 65 pounds and was missing "most" of his top teeth, while his bottom teeth were "rotted," cops say.
First responders allegedly found Somak Nath, son of 60-year-old Manisha Nath, on Oct. 22 in the family's driveway in Chesterfield County with "grime over most of his body" and unconscious, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime on Monday.
He was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead by medical staff. An autopsy was performed, which revealed the extent of his mother's alleged abuse and neglect, which landed her behind bars last week.
"Somak was reported to be only 65 pounds indicating possible [mal]nourishment, missing most of his top teeth, and his bottom teeth were rotted," the criminal complaint says. "He had not bathed in some time and sores on his back."
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Prior reports by Child Protective Services indicate that Somak Nath was "non verbal and had autism," with CPS citing interviews with family members. "Those family members indicated to police that Somak was unable to care for himself and that his mother was his caretaker," the complaint says.
Neighbors reported only seeing Somak Nath twice over the last year, according to Chesterfield County Police. Officers were called to Manisha Nath's home in the 14400 block of Woods Walk Lane after receiving a report about Somak suffering from cardiac arrest, the complaint says.
Manisha Nath was taken into custody after investigators apparently discovered numerous signs of neglect and abuse following the autopsy and execution of a search warrant.
"Police found little to no food in the kitchen, and an excessive amount of black mold in the residence," the complaint alleges. "There was also a lack of running water and Manisha told police she would just give Somak a bucket of water and mug to bathe himself. There were no toilets in working order within the residence."
Manisha Nath was asked by police if Somak Nath "could live on his own in an apartment or house and she said no," the complaint adds. The woman was arrested and charged with abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death.
Neighbors said they used to see Somak Nath outside "occasionally," according to local CBS affiliate WTVR, and he would keep to himself.
"You would see him in the driveway sitting in the car," one neighbor told the media outlet, choosing to remain anonymous. "Or sitting on the porch and rocking and humming and seemed content," they said.
Residents who spoke to local NBC affiliate WWBT said the family lived in the neighborhood for decades.
"She's a very bright person; she has a doctorate," one neighbor said. "She always seemed like she really cared about her children."
Another resident said, "[Somak Nath] would come over and play on our swing set when he was little. Just a sweet, sweet, docile, timid child."
Manisha Nath was being held Monday without bond in the Chesterfield County Jail awaiting her next court date on Nov. 18.
