NEWPORT, North Carolina According to Carteret County police, a man is now being charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a 47-year-old lady who was abandoned in a frigid camper without electricity or heat.
Woman Died From Cold-Related Complications
In late February, Emma Jean Teague was discovered in severe condition in an unheated camper on Newport, North Carolina’s Wildwood Road. The Carteret County Sheriff’s Office reports that she passed away on March 4th as a result of end-stage liver cirrhosis that was made worse by cold.
While Teague was left alone in the camper without heat, power, or help, investigators report that temperatures fell into the low 30s during the day and into the 20s at night.
Man Stayed in Hotel While Woman Suffered in Cold
Blair Hamilton Hayes, 61, allegedly knew her condition was extremely precarious, but decided to stay in a neighboring hotel instead of staying with Teague, according to authorities. Investigators now believe that Hayes left her in conditions that directly contributed to her death despite knowing she had partial blindness and mobility problems.
When Hayes got back to the campground on February 20, he discovered Teague was ill. She was taken to the hospital in critical condition after he called for emergency medical aid. She passed away less than two weeks after receiving treatment.
Manslaughter Charge Filed Following Lengthy Investigation
Hayes was charged with involuntary manslaughter and taken into custody by the sheriff’s office on August 12 following a months-long investigation. In addition to having considerable difficulty walking on her own and some degree of blindness, authorities defined Teague’s state as one of extreme vulnerability, which prevented her from taking care of herself during the freezing period.
Although Hayes and Teague both lived in Newport, which is roughly 140 miles southeast of Raleigh, officials have not revealed the details of their relationship.
The terrible circumstances surrounding Emma Teague’s passing have brought homelessness, medical neglect, and elder care to the public’s attention. The sheriff’s office has stressed that no one should be left without basic utilities during the winter, especially if they are in a medically delicate situation.
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