Toilet-bound woman proves some have no compassion
Raquel Parks
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Perspectives
In today's world, anything is possible. However, I was both shocked and sickened by a recent story I read in the Detroit Free Press. Violence, scandal, lies and secrets don't seem much of a shock with everything that one may see or hear on the news nowadays. Yet some stories defy belief.
In Ness City, Kan., Kory McFarren, 37, has been charged with mistreatment of a dependent adult for allowing his 35-year-old girlfriend, Pam Babcock, to remain in a bathroom in their home for, allegedly, nearly two years. According to the Detroit Free Press, McFarren called the Ness County Sheriff's Office in late February, saying that something was wrong with his girlfriend. When police arrived at the home, they discovered that Babcock was stuck to the toilet. They believe she had been seated there for about a month.
Babcock was sitting on the toilet so long that she actually developed sores, making her stick to the seat. Mcfarren told police that Babcock was afraid to leave the bathroom and had possibly been seated there for two years. But he's unsure of exactly how long she's actually been seated there. The Free Press also reported that he gave her food and water daily and always asked her to come out of the bathroom, but her reply was usually, "maybe tomorrow."
Ness County Attorney Craig Crosswhite cites the mistreatment charge as most fitting for this peculiar case. To make things worse, the doctors at a Wichita hospital say that Babcock has developed an infection in her legs which has damaged her nerves, meaning she could spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
This case is not only extremely peculiar but very cruel. Obviously, the woman in this situation was not well enough to think about her own health or safety. After all, she chose to voluntarily stay seated on a toilet for a month or more. Therefore, it was up to her boyfriend to call the police much sooner.
I can't imagine what he must have been thinking to let her stay seated in there that long and not do anything about it. It's absolutely ridiculous and cruel. His lame statement doesn't do much to support his innocence: "The only thing I am guilty of is I didn't get her help sooner."
In Ness City, Kan., Kory McFarren, 37, has been charged with mistreatment of a dependent adult for allowing his 35-year-old girlfriend, Pam Babcock, to remain in a bathroom in their home for, allegedly, nearly two years. According to the Detroit Free Press, McFarren called the Ness County Sheriff's Office in late February, saying that something was wrong with his girlfriend. When police arrived at the home, they discovered that Babcock was stuck to the toilet. They believe she had been seated there for about a month.
Babcock was sitting on the toilet so long that she actually developed sores, making her stick to the seat. Mcfarren told police that Babcock was afraid to leave the bathroom and had possibly been seated there for two years. But he's unsure of exactly how long she's actually been seated there. The Free Press also reported that he gave her food and water daily and always asked her to come out of the bathroom, but her reply was usually, "maybe tomorrow."
Ness County Attorney Craig Crosswhite cites the mistreatment charge as most fitting for this peculiar case. To make things worse, the doctors at a Wichita hospital say that Babcock has developed an infection in her legs which has damaged her nerves, meaning she could spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
This case is not only extremely peculiar but very cruel. Obviously, the woman in this situation was not well enough to think about her own health or safety. After all, she chose to voluntarily stay seated on a toilet for a month or more. Therefore, it was up to her boyfriend to call the police much sooner.
I can't imagine what he must have been thinking to let her stay seated in there that long and not do anything about it. It's absolutely ridiculous and cruel. His lame statement doesn't do much to support his innocence: "The only thing I am guilty of is I didn't get her help sooner."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Michelle
posted 4/02/08 @ 6:37 PM EST
I would prefer that you not write articles about things that you know nothing about.
Go ahead and believe everything the media tells you to believe, but quit judging someone who is innocent based an an article you read about them that is packed full or half truths and embellishment. (Continued…)
Meghan
posted 4/02/08 @ 7:37 PM EST
Michelle,
I would prefer that you not cruelly reply to articles about things that you know nothing about, unless you somehow find a way to prove that what you're criticising is negative or falsly represented. (Continued…)
Chief Brody
posted 4/02/08 @ 10:18 PM EST
I don't know what's more bizarre. The woman making the choice to sit on a toilet for 2 years or the boyfriend accepting it for 2 years. Both of them should be locked up in a mental hospital for a looooong time. (Continued…)
Emma
posted 4/02/08 @ 10:27 PM EST
You ask "How heartless can you be to walk past someone in dire need of attention?" But in the beginning of your column you cited the report that Kory McFarren brought his girlfriend food and water daily. (Continued…)
Michelle E
posted 4/03/08 @ 11:31 PM EST
I read about this news story a few weeks ago and it struck me as well. I wondered why the woman's family or friends or even the neighbors didn't notice or say anything?
And I do agree there was definitely something suspicious going on with the boyfriend, I'm wondering, like Emma, if he also had some mental issues. (Continued…)
Jack
posted 8/27/08 @ 8:49 AM EST
If any one really cared they would have followed up on this article with updates. I am shocked with the laziness of reporters who run from one story to the next without follow up and/or milestones of improvment. (Continued…)
Holly Colburn
posted 3/17/09 @ 10:07 AM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Katherine Waite
posted 3/17/09 @ 2:58 PM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Dating black
posted 3/20/09 @ 1:31 AM EST
Good and interesting article, thanks!
Mayda Dalal
posted 4/16/09 @ 7:36 PM EST
I bookmarked this article. Thank you for good job!
Post a Comment