Man Charged with Neglecting Mentally Ill Wife to Death

A Manassas Park man indicted on charges that he neglected his mentally ill wife to the point of her death is scheduled to stand trial in October.

Barry J. Karsh was indicted by a grand jury on charges of abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult. Jennie Karsh who was found dead in her home on Aug. 11 by emergency personnel who responded to the residence.

A hearing brief court hearing was held on the matter Friday in Manassas and the case was continued until Oct. 24, the day Karsh's trial is to begin.

Manassas Police said Jennie Karsh was found in her bed in very poor physical condition and appeared to weigh less than 90 pounds.

Karsh suffered from a mental illness and was taking medication for it, according to a search warrant affidavit. She was being cared for her by the suspect, her estranged husband, investigators said.

It looked as if Karsh hadn’t been kept cleaned or taken care of physically.

Officers investigating Jennie Karsh’s death spoke to social services employees who said that the suspect had inquired about how to get his wife committed.

They, in turn, gave him instructions on how to become his wife’s legal guardian.

The suspect told police he’d tried to obtain guardianship over his wife, but her daughter wouldn’t let him, according to the affidavit.

The victim’s daughter told police the suspect’s statement about her wasn’t true and that she had actually offered to pay for an attorney and help him with the guardianship process, but the suspect hadn’t followed through.

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Man Charged With Neglecting Mentally Ill Wife to Stand Trial in October