A 53-year-old woman has been arrested after her 84-year-old mother was found dead in an aged care home in Sydney's outer west, with police alleging the elderly resident was administered an unknown substance by her daughter.
Emergency services were called to Our Lady of Consolation aged care home in Rooty Hill at approximately 11:35pm on Thursday. Police officers located the body of the 84-year-old woman inside the building. The daughter was arrested at the scene and taken to Mount Druitt hospital for medical assessment before being transferred to a local police station, where she remains in custody.
Police investigation underway
Superintendent Darrin Batchelor told reporters on Friday that the daughter was distressed when police arrived. "What we believe at this stage is that the 53-year-old female allegedly administered a substance to the older woman," he said. "We don't know exactly what that substance is at the moment and whether it contributed to her passing last night."
Batchelor noted that the daughter has no criminal history or medical training and has been compliant with officers. He added that it is too early to determine a motive, including whether it was an assisted dying scenario.
Child present at the scene
A nine-year-old boy was present at the care home on the night of the incident but is now in the care of his family, Batchelor confirmed. A crime scene has been established, and a forensic team is collecting evidence. A toxicology and autopsy report is being prepared as the investigation continues.
