A severely disabled Central New York woman was rescued from a filthy backyard shed during a summer heat wave, where authorities say she was left in life-threatening condition by the one person entrusted to care for her: her mother, as Syracuse.com reports.

The 46-year-old woman, who is non-verbal and immobile, was discovered on July 29 by state troopers inside a deteriorating shed in Hastings, New York, leading to the arrest of her 75-year-old mother, Maria Y. Traub, who now faces felony charges.

Authorities began investigating after a concerned nurse contacted 911 to report that the disabled woman may not have been receiving her prescribed medications. State troopers from the Hastings barracks responded to the woman’s home on Route 11 and made a disturbing discovery behind the main property. Troopers found the woman lying in an overheated, trash-strewn shed, with temperatures inside hitting triple digits during an intense summer heat wave.

Sgt.: 'Worst case I've ever seen’

The woman, covered in dirt and insect bites, was barely alive. She was lethargic, dehydrated, and displayed multiple signs of physical trauma, including bruises and broken bones. Authorities reported that she had stopped sweating -- an alarming symptom of advanced heat exhaustion -- and she was swarmed by flies in soiled, days-old clothing.

She could not sit up or walk and had no access to drinking water. Instead, she had been using a bucket as a toilet and had no assistance inside the structure. Although there were no locks on the shed doors, police said her frailty rendered her incapable of escaping or calling for help on her own.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” said Sgt. Aaron Eastwood, who led the investigation. Eastwood, a 13-year veteran trooper, described it as “the worst case he’s ever seen.” He said his team rushed to intervene after fearing they would arrive too late next time. “You need to get up here,” a trooper urgently told him on the day of the discovery.

Multiple prior police visits noted

This wasn’t the first time troopers had visited the property. Between July 23 and July 29, law enforcement and emergency medical crews had responded to several welfare calls. Just days before the woman’s discovery in the shed, she had been discharged from a hospital and returned to the home, only to fall into a worsening situation.

On one occasion, the woman made it to a neighbor’s house, believing her mother had died. As part of their ongoing response, officers documented increasingly dangerous conditions at the home, including odd behavior from the woman when she wandered near busy Route 11.

Officials with adult protective services and town code enforcement had also been involved previously. The property was cluttered with trash, severely overgrown, and in physical disrepair, raising long-term safety concerns for the woman living there.

Felony charges lodged

The investigation led to the arrest of her mother and full-time caregiver, Maria Y. Traub, on Oct. 1. She was charged with two felonies: first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person, and first-degree reckless endangerment. Both charges reflect the authorities’ belief that Traub’s actions -- or lack thereof -- put the woman's life in extreme danger.

Traub was arraigned in Oswego County CAP Court and was released on her own recognizance. Authorities have not said whether any other family members or individuals had contact with the woman during the critical period before her rescue.

Sgt. Eastwood and his team worked with the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office to build a case after the July 29 incident. Their goal, he said, was to prevent a tragedy they feared was just days away. Without prompt intervention, Eastwood said the woman might not have survived.

Woman recovering under court-appointed care

After her rescue, the woman was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she remained for more than a week as doctors treated her injuries and severe dehydration. Medical professionals reported that she was in a fragile state but was responding to care.

The woman is now under the supervision of a court-appointed guardian. Officials have not released further information about her current condition or future housing arrangements, but said she would not return to the environment from which she was rescued. The disturbing case has triggered renewed scrutiny on how systems such as adult protective services and local code enforcement coordinate in complex family caregiving situations, especially when vulnerable adults are involved.

Lessons to learn

Stories like this one highlight critical issues that families, neighbors, and service providers should be mindful of when someone is caring for an individual with severe disabilities:

1. Act on warning signs early: Frequent calls to emergency services or signs of severe property neglect can be red flags that someone is no longer capable of caregiving. When in doubt, contacting protective services could save a life.

2. Check in during high-risk weather: Extreme heat or cold significantly raises health risks for vulnerable populations. Offering support or performing wellness checks in heat waves can prevent fatal outcomes.

3. Remember, there is no shame in asking for help: Caregiving is emotionally and physically exhausting. No one should be blamed for seeking outside assistance. Community resources exist to provide respite and professional support options.

Why this story matters

This case has shaken the Hastings community and serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden suffering that can happen behind closed doors -- or, in this case, inside a backyard shed. It calls attention to the urgent need for stronger safety nets for disabled adults who rely entirely on others for survival.

It also underscores the importance of inter-agency cooperation and fast action when multiple calls for concern continue to surface but do not lead to meaningful intervention.