An 83-year-old Wisconsin man is facing a serious felony charge after authorities say his elderly girlfriend spent as long as two weeks deteriorating outside their home before she was finally rushed to a hospital.
Richard Engberg of the Ellison Bay area has been charged with recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse causing death following the death of his 79-year-old girlfriend, whose name has not been publicly released in the criminal complaint.
The disturbing case began on the night of Sept. 7, when Engberg called 911 seeking medical help for the woman.
Paramedics arriving at the Door County home found her lying on her side near the front porch, according to details from the criminal complaint reported by local news outlets. She had numerous open sores and was suffering from a severe maggot infestation.
The woman was barely responsive and in obvious pain.
According to the complaint, emergency workers said portions of her skin began peeling away as they attempted to move her. Saline was reportedly used to help loosen her skin before rescuers were able to transport her.
She was ultimately taken to HSHS St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.
She died three days later, on Sept. 10.
Investigators say Engberg told them his girlfriend’s health had begun deteriorating roughly three weeks before he finally called for help.
He allegedly described changes in her memory and said she had started driving erratically. About a week later, he claimed, she experienced an episode resembling a seizure in which she twitched and began saying unusual things.
Engberg allegedly told investigators that the woman wanted to wait and see whether her condition improved rather than immediately seeking medical treatment.
Her condition instead continued to worsen.
She eventually began spending her time near the home’s front porch because, according to Engberg’s account to investigators, she found the area comfortable and enjoyed the fresh air.
Authorities believe she remained there for approximately one to two weeks.
Engberg claimed he tried to care for her during that time.
He told investigators that he brought her water until she began refusing it and gave her yogurt and ice cream because those were among the only foods she would accept.
He also allegedly admitted using a garden hose to spray or rinse her periodically.
According to the complaint, Engberg told authorities the woman appeared relieved afterward and thanked him.
But paramedics who reached the property described a dramatically different picture.
They reportedly questioned whether Engberg himself was capable of independently caring for another vulnerable adult. One responder said Engberg appeared unable to properly care for himself, while investigators also raised concerns about his cognitive functioning.
A sergeant who questioned Engberg reportedly became concerned that he might not fully understand his legal rights.
That concern has now become an important part of the criminal case.
During Engberg’s Sept. 21 appearance in Door County Circuit Court, his attorney requested a competency evaluation. Judge David Weber granted the request and ordered that Engberg undergo an examination.
A hearing concerning the results is scheduled for Oct. 29. His $100,000 bail remained in place following the hearing.
The competency issue does not determine whether Engberg committed the alleged crime.
Under Wisconsin law, competency instead concerns whether a defendant currently has enough mental capacity to understand the criminal proceedings and assist an attorney with his defense. When a court has reason to question that ability, Wisconsin law provides for an examination before the case can move forward normally.
Engberg’s charge is also potentially extremely serious.
Wisconsin law defines abuse of an individual at risk broadly enough to include depriving a vulnerable person of necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, personal care or health care when someone has assumed responsibility for providing those needs.
The statute defines reckless conduct as creating an unreasonable risk of harm while showing conscious disregard for the vulnerable person’s safety.
Recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse under circumstances causing death is classified as a Class C felony in Wisconsin.
A Class C felony carries a maximum possible penalty of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, although any sentence would depend on a conviction and subsequent court proceedings.
The complaint reportedly acknowledges that investigators did not necessarily believe Engberg deliberately intended to kill or injure his girlfriend.
Prosecutors’ allegation instead centers on whether his failure to obtain appropriate care — despite her increasingly serious condition — amounted to reckless abuse under Wisconsin law.
For now, that question remains unresolved.
Engberg has been charged, but he has not been convicted, and the immediate next step in the case is determining whether he is competent to continue through the criminal court process.
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