900 Pound Man Dies - Family Wishes More Was Done
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Mother Of Dead 900 Pound Mna Dies
The mother of Daniel Webb, the 900-pound man who died Wednesday, spoke to News Channel 7's Jonathan Carlson
Published: November 19, 2009
Updated: November 19, 2009
A Greenwood County man died Wednesday, shortly after emergency workers had to cut open part of his home to remove him in an effort to save his life.
EMS workers say 33-year-old Daniel Webb weighed around 900 pounds, and was found stuck, which they say he was sitting in for nearly nine months.
The mobile home was on County Farm Road in Greenwood. Webb was found covered in sores and human waste.
Authorities say Webb died from cardiac arrest en route to the hospital.
Having not left the house or walked in months, his wife Ada Webb says he became imobile after hurting his knee in March. He sat for the rest of his life.
“If he would have had the proper care we tried to get for him back in March this would have never happened,“ she said.
Mrs. Webb says she and her husband tried to get disability and insurance but could not and she says she didn’t know where else to turn. She says she cared for him the best she could.
“I only hope something good comes out of this because it was so unnecessary.“
Emergency Medical Services Personnel says morbid obesity has become a real issue, and now they carry special tools onboard.
They had to use those tools for Daniel Webb.
Webb helped found the True Christian Fellowship in Westminster and was an associate pastor. He grew up in that area of Oconee County.
His mother, Carol Roach, who lives in Westminster told us, she had no idea her son’s condition was so bad. She last saw him months ago, when he was obese, but not near death.
She says he didn’t want to leave the house because he was ashamed of his weight, and he refused others help.
She also says she got a call from him the night before his death, saying he didn’t feel good, and was ready to see a doctor.
The call came too late.
Roach says when she saw her son the morning of his death,“Oh my god…I basically knew when I looked at my son…that he was dying. His eyes were rolling back in his head…and I didn’t think he stood a chance because he was just in pitiful condition,“ she said.
She says her son died on his second wedding anniversary.
DSS says it never had a case file on Webb until authorities were called.
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Reader Reactions
To Mom. Thank you for answering the question. You are right, the wife will have to live with what she did or did not do. I wish she had called you and told you just how serious the situation was, I’m sure you would have moved mountains to help as you are right, there is no love greater than that of a mother for her child. I’m sorry you didn’t have that chance to move a mountain but at least he saw you for that small moment before he passed into a better existence, one of peace finally. I’m sorry your son suffered so much in his life and I hope you will heal well and one day find peace and comfort in the fond memories of your child.
Thank you Rayhawk for your kindness and understanding . As far as my sons wife goes she has to live with the choices she made that is between her and god. I know my son died loving her with all his heart, I know if I would have known the condition of my son I would have moved mountains to have gotton him the help he needed. There is no love like a mother to a child. I know my son forgave anyone who ever hurt or mitreated him . He was a loving , caring, giving, person, I know anyone who ever mistreated him will have to live with them selfs and answer to god.Thank you for your kindness. Anyone that has never had a dissibility can never understand, and as you said being overweight does not only come from overeating. May god bless you.
To the Mom. I have an adult disabled son. I am also a disabled child of a disabled parent. I understand being a mom and a mom to a son in need of help. My question is not a cruel one. My mom doesn’t often know when I’m in rough shape because I often instruct my partner and my kids to keep their mouths shut and pretend I’m doing ok…I’m guessing this was done to you and you might not have known your son was in such rough shape. My question is…are you at least angry with the wife for not letting you know how serious the situation with your child had become? Had you known your precious child was stuck in a chair soiling himself and most likely being left in his own waste contributing to his demise…would you have done something? Please let some of us know what YOU would have wished those closest to him, living with him, would have done for him. I don’t blame you. I do blame the wife. My partner would have betrayed me and ratted me out to my mom if I was in such rough shape. If she knows I need a doctor and I’m being stubborn..the worse thing she can say is “I’m gonna call your mom” My mom would move mountains to make sure I got help and if my partner left me in that condition she better hope she can leave the country before my mom finds her!
Bad typo in my previous comment, I was about to say 50 pounds overweight, changed it to 75 and didn’t delete the 50. I’m aged 41 and use a wheelchair.
My partner however would never leave me stuck in a chair for months! If she couldn’t hacksaw the chair off my body she would have called social services and and/or anyone she could have round up to move me, help me take a few steps, get me outside. Yes, it might have been humiliating to me, but no more humiliating than soiling myself for 9 months. I understand no insurance and I understand not much social help for people like this, but family and friends..come on! He did not have to be stuck in a chair soiling himself. Where were all the church people? My mom lives 2 hours away in Columbia SC but let me tell you, if she even had a hint that I was not in a stable condition she would have been at my bed or chair side every day with a whip to make sure other able bodied people did all they could to get me out of that situation if I couldn’t do it myself.
@Robert Detjen What a cruel comment. Not every person is overweight because they simply eat too much. Have you never heard of metabolic disorders? Do you have any idea if this man had a thyroid disorder or many other treatable disorders that could not be treated without insurance? No, you don’t get to be that weight overnight, but do we know what was wrong years ago that was left untreated for him to get to this point? I am mobility impaired and 50 about 75 pounds overweight. I would love to exercise but wheelchairs are not exactly designed for most common things without paying for accessories that are outrageously priced and never covered by insurances. My partner can’t push me up hills or over rough ground, she is not strong enough and the last time she did it she tore a tendon in her leg and she doesn’t have insurance either. You don’t always know all the facts…why judge this man as just a glutton who ate himself to death?
One article that I read the wife said when friends came over they had to wear a mask because of the smell. Why didn’t they offer suggestions? Or did they?
The Pastor that called a month ago, had he been to visit in the last eight months since Danny had been confined to the recliner? Did the Pastor not know how to get him help?
In August when the family celebrated his birthday, he had already been in that recliner for 5 months according to the wife. The fact that he was defecating on himself never came up in conversation? Was the smell not obvious? I don’t get it??
It sounds like Danny had become so depressed that he just gave up. It’s sad no one around him did anything to help him.
All the wife can say is she “hopes something good comes out of this”. What does she have in mind?
This message is to Robert Detjen I am so happy to know there are perfect people like you who have never over ate drink smoke curse or do any wrong. I am glad to know you and your family will be taking food from your mouths to feed the hungry children. I am also sure if this man would have came to you for your help you would have gave your all. One thing I am sure of is my son is looking down from heaven asking god to forgive you for your stupidy. And I pray god will send you a heart.
Robert Detjen….That was a cruel post. Obesity is a disease. Your the very reason this poor man did not want to leave his home. People ignorant and mean spirited just like you. Shame on you and shame on you for having no compassion for this young, obese man.
I am disgusted with the tears being shed for the 900 lb glutton who ate himself to death, and I have little symapthy for his wife, an apparently weak-willed person who in gorging him was a clear accessory to his death.
What ever happened to the concept that actions have consequences and that each one of us is responsible for our actions. When did our mantra instead become, “It’s someone elses fault because we couldn’t get any help?“
For those who claim that every moral failing is a disease, I would simply note that around this world there are a dozen starved children who could have been alive today with what this one person consumed. These are the ones who diserve our tears.
Danny’s Mom…please know I am not being harsh or ugly about this. I have been really touched by this story. But I cannot understand where you say “he was not in that condition.“ Your son bless his heart did not get to 900lbs overnight. He needed help when he hit the 500 mark. Something should have been done. But we can all rest assure that he is healthy, walking, and living peacefully in heaven. No more embarrasement for this young man. I believe the day I had to clean up urine and fecal matters off of my husband and the furniture would have been my mark to seek help. God Bless you and I am grieving with you.
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