CHESTERFIELD, VA – Authorities in Chesterfield County have charged a local woman with abuse and neglect following the death of her adult son, who had nonverbal autism and was found unresponsive outside the family’s home last month.

Police said that emergency crews were called to a residence on Woods Walk Lane on October 22, where they discovered 28-year-old Somak Nath unconscious in the driveway. First responders noted the man had visible grime covering much of his body and found him in a severely emaciated state. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.

Officials revealed in court documents that Somak Nath weighed just 65 pounds at the time of his death. Autopsy results indicated he suffered from extreme malnutrition and poor dental health, including significant tooth loss and decay. Investigators also reported visible sores on his back and evidence that he had not bathed in some time.

According to interviews conducted by child welfare authorities, the victim was unable to care for himself and relied entirely on his mother, 60-year-old Manisha Nath, for daily needs. Family members confirmed that Somak Nath was nonverbal and had autism, making him especially vulnerable.

Police and social services had limited contact with the family prior to the incident. Neighbors recalled rarely seeing Somak outside; some reported only witnessing him twice in the year before his death. When he was seen, neighbors described him as quiet and generally keeping to himself.

The investigation deepened after officers executed a search warrant at the home. Inside, police allegedly found almost no food, significant black mold, limited running water, and a lack of working toilets. Authorities say Manisha Nath admitted to providing her son with only a bucket of water for bathing.

Detectives reported that the conditions inside the home did not meet basic standards of care, raising serious concerns about neglect. When asked if her son would have been able to live independently, Manisha Nath reportedly told investigators that he could not.

Neighbors have expressed shock over the allegations, stating that the family had lived in the community for decades. Some spoke of Manisha Nath’s educational accomplishments, describing her as someone who seemed attentive to her children in earlier years. Others recalled Somak as a gentle child who would sometimes play in nearby yards.

Manisha Nath was taken into custody last week and faces charges of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death. She remains in Chesterfield County Jail without bond as she awaits her next court appearance, scheduled for November 18.

No additional charges have been announced, and the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to review evidence in this case.