(Update) LaPlace grandson charged in grandmother’s death
Published 11:05 am Monday, January 25, 2016
LAPLACE — An elderly LaPlace woman was on the floor of her son’s garage for hours without help, despite asking for assistance, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and her grandson was arrested for negligent homicide.
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said Neil Oberoi, 33, of LaPlace was charged Saturday.
“Because Neil Oberoi did not render aid and seek help in a timely manner for his grandmother, detectives arrested and booked Neil Oberoi with negligent homicide and cruelty to the infirmed in connection with the death of Satwant Oberoi,” Tregre said.
Deputies responded to the Oberoi home on Muirfield Drive in LaPlace at 8:02 a.m. Saturday after receiving a medical call.
Tregre said deputies found Satwant Oberoi, 90, on the floor of the garage near some stairs that led to the main house. According to Sgt. Dane Clement, the garage where the elderly woman was found was an enclosed structure but was not climate controlled.
According to the National Weather Service, the overnight low Friday was 37.
“The investigation is still ongoing to get the answer to why the victim was in the garage,” Clement said.
The home on Muirfield Drive belongs to Neil Oberoi’s father. The father, son and grandmother lived at the home. Neil Oberoi and his grandmother were the only ones home Friday night and Saturday morning, authorities said.
Neil Oberoi told deputies he saw his grandmother on the floor at 5 or 6 p.m. Friday calling for help.
“He ignored her plea until he brought her a cup of water, a blanket and a pillow at 1:30 (a.m. Saturday,)” Tregre said. “When he tried to wake her in the morning, she did not respond. He then called his father, who told him to call 911.”
Emergency medical services detected no vital signs for the victim when they arrived at the residence.
“(A suspect) has been arrested, but the case is still being investigated,” Tregre said.
Oberoi posted a $250,000 bond Monday and was released.