A woman has allegedly ‘administered a substance’ to her elderly mother, who was found dead in a western Sydney aged care home.
A woman has allegedly ‘administered a substance’ to her elderly mother, who was found dead in a western Sydney aged care home.
Emergency services were called to Our Lady of Consolation, an aged care facility in Rooty Hill, about 11.45pm on Thursday when an 84-year-old woman was found dead.
Police found the woman’s 53-year-old daughter at the scene and described her as ‘distressed’.
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She was arrested and taken to Mount Druitt Hospital for an assessment before being interviewed at Mount Druitt police station.
Detective Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said at a press conference on Friday that a nine-year-old boy was also present at the time.
He is now being cared for by other family members.
The detective said the daughter allegedly gave a ‘medical-related’ substance to her mother.
‘We don’t know exactly what that substance is at the moment or whether that contributed to her passing last night,’ he said.
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Emergency services were called to Our Lady of Consolation in Rooty Hill on Thursday
‘It’s really too early to determine what the motivation is at the moment, whether it was an assisted dying scenario, we really don’t know.’
The 53-year-old has no criminal record and no medical expertise, police said.
No charges have been laid.
The elderly woman had multiple medical conditions.
‘A lot will be determined from the toxicology reports and the autopsy report,’ Det Supt Batchelor said.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage and making inquiries into why the 53-year-old was at the facility so late at night.
A spokesperson for Our Lady of Consolation Aged Care confirmed the incident in a statement to the Daily Mail.
‘The Board and staff of Our Lady of Consolation are distressed by the death of our resident, and our thoughts are with their family and loved ones at this time,’ chief executive David Maher said.
‘We are continuing to work with the Police and supporting them in their investigations. We will continue to offer support to our residents and staff during this time.’
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
