A disturbing case from Oklahoma has shocked many after police discovered the body of an elderly woman in extremely poor living conditions inside her own home. Authorities say the woman had been living with her son, who claimed to be her caretaker. However, investigators allege that the conditions inside the house and the state of the victim’s body point to severe neglect that may have contributed to her death.
Oklahoma Man Accused of Neglecting His Mother to Death
A 52-year-old Oklahoma man named Duane Valentine has been charged with serious crimes after the death of his 70-year-old mother, Deborah Valentine.
Police say the woman was found dead inside her home in Del City, Oklahoma, surrounded by trash, rats, and human waste.
Duane Valentine now faces charges including:
- Second-degree murder
- Abuse by a caretaker
Authorities are also investigating possible financial abuse involving his mother.
Police Called After Mother Found Unresponsive
According to investigators, Duane Valentine called authorities on February 17 after finding his mother unresponsive in her bedroom.
Officers from the Del City Police Department responded to the home. When they entered the house, they reportedly encountered extremely unsanitary and disturbing conditions.
Body camera footage later showed officers walking through the home, which was reportedly filled with trash from floor to ceiling.
Disturbing Conditions Inside the Home
Police reports describe the house as being covered with trash throughout nearly every room.
Investigators also said they found:
- Large numbers of rats inside the home
- Human waste on different items
- Trash piled several feet high in some areas
According to police, the bed where Deborah Valentine was found was surrounded by about two feet of garbage.
Officers also reported seeing rodents near the body.
One officer reportedly told another at the scene that there were around 20 rats around the woman’s body.
Another officer said the woman appeared to have sunk into the mattress and that a mouse was seen eating part of her face when police first entered the room.
Timeline Provided by the Son
Police questioned Duane Valentine about the last time he spoke with his mother.
According to investigators, he told officers:
- He last spoke to her about three days before calling police.
- The next day he checked on her and believed she was sleeping.
- The following day she still would not wake up.
He told officers his mother had been sick for several days.
At one point, he reportedly told police that she had simply been sleeping and was very ill.
Son Claimed to Be Caretaker
During questioning, Duane Valentine told officers that he had lived in his mother’s home for the past nine years.
He also said he served as her caretaker.
According to his statement to police, his mother had become bedridden about two or three months before her death.
He claimed she became particularly sick a few days before she was found unresponsive.
Family Members Question His Actions
When other family members arrived at the house, they reportedly questioned Duane Valentine about why he had not contacted them earlier.
According to reports, they asked him why he never called for help.
He allegedly told them he did not realise his mother had died.
He reportedly said he believed she was just sleeping.
Police Believe She May Have Been Dead Longer
After seeing the condition of the body and the environment inside the home, investigators suspected that Deborah Valentine may have died earlier than her son claimed.
The presence of rodents and the condition of the body raised serious concerns for authorities.
These discoveries led to further investigation and the eventual criminal charges against Duane Valentine.
Suspected Financial Abuse Also Under Investigation
Authorities have also confirmed that the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation is reviewing possible financial abuse connected to the case.
Investigators are looking into whether Duane Valentine may have misused his mother’s finances while acting as her caretaker.
Details about this part of the investigation have not yet been fully released.
Man Released on Bond
After being arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center, Duane Valentine was later released from custody.
He posted a $50,000 bond and is now free under certain conditions.
Officials say he must wear a GPS monitoring device while the case continues.
His arraignment hearing is scheduled for March 19.
