US Woman With Disabilities Found Dead With Cockroach Bite Marks; Dad Faces Charges

A differently-abled 29-year-old woman was found dead at her home in Lowell, Arkansas, in the United States on January 3. Caterina Whitten, a visually impaired woman, was found in a disheartening scene at her residence. Her body was found in a soiled diaper with cockroach bite marks on her head. She lay in an 'extremely filthy' home covered in more dirty diapers, dog faeces, and strange blood stains. 

Strange Crime Scene Leads To Rape Suspicions

Caterina lived in a home with five other adults with disabilities, who were adopted by a man identified as David Whitten, who is now facing charges of negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person, according to 4029 NEWS. Law enforcement officials and firefighters found her dead while responding to a medical call.

Caterina's body was dressed in a blue shirt and a soiled adult diaper, and was on the bed with her legs oddly pointed toward the wall. This suggested it was staged, the police said. In another bedroom, there was only a bed, a dress, and a strange blood stain on the wall, according to the affidavit. Authorities stated that they are also investigating possible sexual assault.

Caterina's adoptive father said David claimed that she was healthy for a long time without the help of medication until December 25 when she suddenly "sunk to the floor and wouldn’t move." He added that in the past, she often went “through this phase" where she would refuse to eat for some days and would end up losing a significant amount of weight

Authorities said that Caterina was blind and had Fraser syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. At her home, the respondents also found another disabled adult walking around in a soiled diaper. The five other adopted adults at the Whitten house were taken to the hospital to be checked out and are staying elsewhere now. David is due in court on February 10.

Benton County Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Robinson said, “The initial reaction is just like anybody else. It’s one of sadness and shock. You hate to see people living in poor conditions. You hate to see somebody that loses their life, especially at a pretty young age... You know, every case where you deal with loss of life is tragic, and this one is too."