Virginia Mother Arrested After Autistic Son Found Dead Weighing Just 65 Pounds, Covered in Grime
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA — A 60-year-old Virginia woman is accused of letting her 28-year-old autistic, nonverbal son waste away and die in squalid conditions — weighing just 65 pounds at the time of his death and showing signs of long-term neglect, police say.
Authorities identified the suspect as Manisha Nath, who was arrested last week and charged with abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death.
Son Found in Driveway, Covered in Grime
According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, police and paramedics responded to the Nath home on Woods Walk Lane on October 22 after receiving a report of a man in cardiac arrest.
When first responders arrived, they found Somak Nath — who had severe autism and could not speak — unconscious in the driveway with “grime over most of his body.”
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed disturbing signs of malnutrition and neglect:
- Somak weighed only 65 pounds
- He was missing most of his top teeth and his bottom teeth were rotted
- His body was covered in sores and filth, indicating he had not bathed for a long time
‘He Couldn’t Care for Himself’ — And His Mother Knew It
Investigators say Child Protective Services (CPS) had previous records showing that Somak was nonverbal and completely dependent on his mother for daily care.
Family members reportedly told CPS that Somak could not live on his own and required constant supervision.
Yet when police interviewed Manisha Nath, she admitted that she knew her son couldn’t care for himself — but still failed to provide food, hygiene, or working facilities in their home.
Inside the House: No Food, No Water, and Mold Everywhere
When officers executed a search warrant, they were horrified by the living conditions. The report described:
- Little to no food in the kitchen
- Black mold covering surfaces
- No running water or working toilets
- Buckets of water used for bathing
Police said Manisha claimed she would simply give her son “a bucket and a mug” to clean himself.
Neighbors told WTVR they had rarely seen Somak in the past year but remembered him as a quiet, gentle presence.
“You’d see him sitting in the driveway or rocking on the porch,” one neighbor said. “He seemed content.”
Others said they were stunned by the allegations, describing Manisha as educated and soft-spoken, with one neighbor noting, “She has a doctorate. She always seemed to care about her children.”
Held Without Bond
Manisha Nath remains held without bond at the Chesterfield County Jail ahead of her next court appearance on November 18.
Police and prosecutors say the case represents one of the worst instances of prolonged neglect they’ve seen in the county’s history.
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