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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mother Accused Of Mistreating Son Who Has Down Syndrome Teen In ‘Extremely Poor’ State With Lice, Scabies And Burns

Associated Press

A woman was arrested after police found her disabled 17-year-old son in a garbage-strewn bedroom and in such poor health that he weighed just 41 pounds.

The teenager, who has Down syndrome, was being treated Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Health Center in Pasco. Court documents described his physical condition as “extremely poor.”

The boy’s mother, Marcela Chela Lopez, 46, was being held in lieu of $10,000 bail in the Franklin County jail for investigation of first-degree criminal mistreatment, a felony.

Police believe Lopez was the only adult living with the teen, whose identity has not been released.

Court records said he had lice, and his buttocks were infected with scabies, a skin disease caused by a parasitic mite that burrows under the skin to deposit eggs. Hospital nurses bandaged his hands to keep him from scratching himself.

The teen’s bones were clearly visible beneath his skin, and two small burns were found on his back, court records said.

Authorities said they were called Wednesday when a person who had visited Lopez’s apartment reported that a child was locked inside.

Court documents said that when officers asked Lopez about her children, she pointed to two children playing outside the apartment.

They appeared to be elementary-school age and in good health, according to court reports.

The officers started to leave but were approached by a person who described seeing an extremely thin boy inside the apartment eating garbage off the floor, documents said. Officers returned to the apartment and found the boy hidden in the bedroom.

Garbage bags were open and garbage was scattered around the floor, police said.

When Lopez was taken into custody, the younger children were left with a relative.