Coats woman charged with leaving disabled husband in filth

Coats, N.C. — Coats police arrested Lorie Rice for allegedly abandoning her disabled husband, leaving him alone for days without food or medicine. Adult Protective Services has also started an investigation, Rice's daughter said.

According to police, Rice would collect her husband's disability check, but largely left him unattended. Rice's husband has physical and mental disabilities and cannot care for himself, family members said.

Rice, 49, of East South Street in Coats, has been married to the man, whose name was not released, for 20 years.

After a neighbor discovered the man living in conditions police described as "beyond filthy," he was moved to a nursing home and charges of neglect were filed.