Physical Wellness

Woman Found Stuck, Molded To Chair For Seven Months

By Anne Collins | Update Date: Feb 20, 2017 07:40 AM EST

Neighbors of a woman from Springfield had no idea she was stuck in her home for seven months. The smell of human excrement reached the sidewalk while emergency responders worked to remove a 550-pound woman from her living room chair on Thursday evening.

According to Fox News Lucas County Sheriff office reported that Barbara Foster, 75, has been sitting on the chair since July 2016. Her body weakened and her skin molded the chair's shape. The emergency crew were required to wear protective hazmat suits because of the home's unsanitary conditions said Assistant Fire Chief Rick Helminski.

Ms. Foster was so physically weak that her bones were breaking when they were attempting to carry her out of the house. She was then taken to the University of Toledo Medical Center where she is now recovering.

The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department had assessed her house and surrounded the property with caution tape. The house was declared unfit for habitation on Friday.

Neighbors said they didn't know Ms. Foster that well but she had a volunteer from her church that regularly delivered food. The volunteer from Our Lady of Lourdes church told investigators that he had delivered food to her for the past ten years. He said he got used to the smell but called 911 on Thursday because Ms. Foster was not acting herself.

According to News.com.au based on county auditor records, Ms. Foster had become $1400 behind her property taxes. Her first missed payment was on July 2016, the same time she became stuck to the chair.

Lieutenant Carter said that detectives are now reviewing the case for any potential crime. Adult Protective Services through Lucas County Job and Family Services will handle investigations of abuse and neglect on the elderly.

In 2006, Ms. Foster filed a complaint against a woman she had allowed to live with her in return for assistance with chores. The woman was accused of threatening to burn down her house if she was not given $3,000 according to court records from the Lucas County Sheriff's Office.

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