An Oklahoma woman is facing felony charges after police discovered her elderly mother’s body in such an advanced state of decay that investigators compared the remains to an “ancient mummy.”
Shannon Solomon-Webb, 38, was arrested on April 9 and charged with caretaker abuse, desecration of a human corpse, and animal cruelty. Her husband was also taken into custody, though his case falls under the jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation.
The investigation began after the husband called 911 to report the death, but Wagoner Police say the report came long after the victim had passed away. Inside the home, officers found a scene of extreme neglect. Approximately 20 dogs were living inside the house amidst a buildup of animal waste.
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According to court documents, Solomon-Webb told investigators she had argued with her mother about moving the older woman into a care facility. Solomon-Webb claimed she wanted to respect her mother’s wishes to stay home and consequently “limited the time she spent at the house.”
The victim suffered from lupus and respiratory issues. Despite acknowledging they were her primary caregivers, Solomon-Webb and her husband allegedly left the woman with only a microwave and instant meals placed directly on her bed.
“As soon as you enter the front door, all you have to do is look to your right,” said Wagoner Police Lt. Det. Clarence Collins. “There’s no way you can’t see her.”
While the medical examiner suggested the woman had been dead for at least a week, Collins believes the timeline was much longer.
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“Ms. Solomon was so decomposed that she was—it was like seeing the mummy from ancient, an ancient mummy,” Collins told local reporters. “Her skin and everything was so leathered. I don’t know how else to describe it other than she appeared to be an ancient mummy that didn’t have the wrapping.”
The detective noted the emotional toll of the discovery, stating that it was difficult to imagine anyone treating their own mother in such a manner.
The dogs found at the property are currently being held as evidence, though the police department is seeking legal possession to put them up for adoption. Solomon-Webb was released on bail over the weekend and is scheduled for her next court appearance on May 6.
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