An investigation is underway in Illinois after a woman reportedly vanished at a hospital on Tuesday and was found dead on the roof two days later.
Chelsea Adolphus, 28, vanished sometime after she was admitted to Vista Medical Center East. Sources told WFLD that staff furloughs meant the hospital lacked designated sitters who monitor disoriented or confused patients.
According to the sources, Adolphus was possibly confused when she wandered from the emergency room wearing only a hospital gown. On Thursday, a patient’s husband reportedly spotted her body on the hospital’s second-floor roof.
Adolphus’ family has accused hospital staff of misleading them about Adolphus’ disappearance and death. Her brother told WGN-TV that the hospital gave them three conflicting stories about what happened.
“Confirmed to me that my sister’s body was on the roof and that she slept on their roof,” he said. “It’s not fair that my sister’s life was in their hands.”
On Monday, Illinois Coroner Jennifer Banek said surveillance footage showed her leaving a room at 7 a.m. Thursday, roughly seven hours before her body was discovered. Banek said hospital staff tried to resuscitate her for 14 hours before she was pronounced dead, according to WLS.
A preliminary autopsy concluded she died of hypothermia. Banek noted that Adolphus’ body temperature was 50 degrees when she was discovered on the roof.
Reports indicated that Vista Medical Center East lost its trauma center status last year.
Banek commented, “American Healthcare Systems must be held accountable to provide safe, quality healthcare to Waukegan and its surrounding communities.”
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