Magna house cleaned up

A Magna house where an elderly woman was removed last week after being found living in deplorable conditions received a clean bill of health Monday.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the apparent case of neglect continued.

The 72-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released, was discovered by authorities in the basement of the house near 3800 South and 7400 West. She was sitting in a chair in her own urine and fecal matter, which reportedly was a couple of weeks old.

The woman had open wounds with ooze and maggots, according to sources. She also had rotting flesh on her feet. The woman had to have one of her legs amputated after she was taken to the hospital.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, the Salt Lake County Health Department, Adult Protective Services and the Division of Child and Family Services were called to assist with the investigation.

The house was owned by the elderly woman's adult daughter who lived there with her four young children and a couple of other adults. The health department gave the homeowners until Monday to bring the house up to acceptable standards before it would allow anyone to live there.

Meanwhile, the daughter voluntarily placed her children with other relatives and neighbors, DCFS spokeswoman Carol Sisco said.

Health department spokeswoman Pam Davenport said inspectors went to the house Monday and found that it had been thoroughly cleaned and "taken back up to livable standards."

DCFS caseworkers also met Monday to discuss the case and will now have a hearing today in juvenile court.

"We will at least be asking to provide services in the home," Sisco said.

By services, Sisco said that could mean anything from counseling to parenting classes. She said Monday afternoon that it was still undetermined what DCFS would request of the judge or if there would be any additional requests.

As for the elderly woman, she remained in the hospital Monday, although her exact condition was unknown because of federal privacy rules.

Adult Protective Services has opened a case, too, Sisco said. But the case is mostly in preparation if she becomes well enough to leave the hospital.

"She's in a safe place now," Sisco said. "Our concern is to make sure she has a safe place to call home when she's released."

No arrests had been made as of Monday. Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Rosie Rivera said the case was still under investigation.

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