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CHICAGO, Sept. 12 (UPI) — An Illinois woman was charged in the death of her 14-year-old, mentally disabled son who lived in a house overrun with more than 200 animals, officials said.
Lydia Price, 49, of Berwyn was charged with criminal abuse and neglect of a disabled child resulting in death, endangerment of a child, animal hoarding and cruel treatment, the Chicago Tribune reported.
The boy was found lying in the back yard of the home and was pronounced dead at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. An autopsy showed he died of natural causes related to bronchopneumonia, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Price was released Monday after posting 10 percent of her $100,000 bail.
She also was charged with criminal abuse and neglect of a 12-year-old daughter with severe autism.
Police said the bungalow was covered with feces and infested with spiders and cockroaches and had no working toilets or a refrigerator.
Authorities said the girl and two other siblings who lived at the home are in the custody of the Department of Children of Family Services after being treated for flu-like symptoms. a fourth, 18, was being treated at a hospital, an agency spokesman said.
Prosecutor Joseph Hodal said the children had never been to school and had not received any medical treatment.