In 2023, a woman from Indiana managed to escape imprisonment in the wake of her 12-year-old autistic daughter’s death. The young girl tragically passed away due to an infection that she had contracted while living in a home that was infested with vermin and covered in filth.
Rosa Hargrave, aged 35, made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to one count of neglect resulting in serious bodily injury for the death of her daughter, who was also known as “May May”, on Friday.
As per the agreement, Hargrave will spend the next three years in a group home or an authorized residential placement, while being on home detention. Furthermore, she has been directed to attend parenting classes. Following that, she will be on probation for an additional four years.
On February 28, 2023, Hargrave took May May to Riley Children’s Hospital due to a wound on her upper back.
Upon examining the child, doctors noted that the wound was oozing and severely infected, with a yellowish-colored substance dripping from it, as per police documents obtained by Law & Crime. Additionally, the child started vomiting blood while in the emergency room.
Officials have reported that the wound resulted from a skin graft that was conducted around two years ago to treat necrotizing fasciitis. The skin graft was supposed to be cleaned on a daily basis.
Police noted that the cut seemed to be completely untreated, indicating that the wound was not cleaned or managed properly.
During the investigation, Hargrave informed the police that her daughter was diagnosed with autism, ADHD, asthma, and was nonverbal. Unfortunately, her wound got infected after being taken to the hospital.
According to Fox 59, despite the mother’s claim that the skin graft wound was a result of a gallbladder rupture, the autopsy revealed that May May’s gallbladder had not been removed, although her appendix had been.
Upon searching Hargrave’s residence, the officers discovered additional reasons for worry.
Upon entering, the police observed that the house was in an appalling and unhygienic state, with an abundance of rodents, cockroaches, and bugs present. The entire house was contaminated with feces, and remnants of half-eaten and rotten food were scattered throughout the premises.
Authorities stated that May’s bedroom was covered in rodent feces and the attached bathroom did not have running water.
Turner and Felicia Hargrave admitted to neglecting a dependent in relation to the death of May May. However, both of them managed to avoid imprisonment and were instead put on probation for a period of over two years.
We have reached out to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for their statement regarding the plea agreements, as reported by The Independent.
May May was known for her love of all things pink, as described in her online obituary. She was referred to as a “girly girl” and this was evident in her personality.
According to the page, May May was a true Grandpa’s and Grandma’s girl. She had a heart full of emotions and never hesitated to express them. Her feelings were always transparent, and everyone around her knew what she was going through.