Redaccion
This Monday, the trial of a man accused of letting his wife, who was suffering from multiple sclerosis and completely dependent, die without assisting her when she fell, began. The woman died 3 days after the fall. The prosecutor is asking for 12 years in prison for manslaughter but applies the mitigating factor of ‘Burnout Caregiver Syndrome’.
Juana, 67 years old, had multiple sclerosis, COPD, and obesity, and relied on her husband, Rogelio, for everything. Three years ago, on December 1st, she fell to the ground and remained there. All Rogelio did was put a pillow under her, cover her with a blanket, and give her some painkillers. He did not call an ambulance, nor did he connect her to the oxygen machine she depended on. Three days later, Juana passed away.
On trial for letting his dependent wife with multiple sclerosis die without attending to her for three days
The prosecution is asking for 12 and a half years in prison for manslaughter, as there is a mitigating factor. Rogelio was diagnosed with Burnout Caregiver Syndrome.
It is called Burnout Caregiver Syndrome. It affects the caregiver’s health due to the high stress they experience from work overload. This results in symptomatic conditions such as apathy, a low mood, anxiety disorders, loneliness, feelings of guilt, or anger.
There are more women diagnosed with this syndrome than men because there are more female caregivers.
The prosecution argues that the syndrome did not negate Rogelio’s ability to control his actions.
