Mom's cigarette ignites oxygen supply; son charged

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By Jason Overholt

Story Created: Oct 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM EDT

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A western Pennsylvania man has been charged with neglecting his disabled mother who weighed just 70 pounds when she died of burns caused when her cigarette caught her oxygen supply on fire.

Police say 53-year-old Rosemary McCurdy died Dec. 26 after suffering facial burns from a "flash fire." The woman had multiple sclerosis and had been bedridden for five years when she was burned Dec. 21.

Police say 22-year-old Victor McCurdy didn't take her to the hospital until five days after she was burned. He was arraigned Thursday on charges of involuntary manslaughter and neglect of care to a dependent person.

Police say McCurdy told them his mother didn't like hospitals, but he finally called an ambulance the day she died. He has pleaded not guilty. Court records don't list a defense attorney.

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