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, disappeared after being admitted to Vista Medical Center East. Reports suggest that due to staff shortages, the hospital did not have assigned individuals to keep an eye on patients who may be disoriented or confused.
Sources mentioned that Adolphus may have been disoriented when she left the emergency room wearing only a hospital gown. It was later discovered that her body was found on the hospital’s second-floor roof by a patient’s husband.
Adolphus’ family has accused the hospital staff of providing them with false information regarding her disappearance and subsequent death. Her brother stated that the hospital relayed three different versions of events to them, creating confusion and distrust.
“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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