Japanese caregiver arrested after paralyzed man boiled to death in 50°C bath

A 38-year-old caregiver in Osaka has been arrested for allegedly causing the death of a paralyzed elderly man by placing him in a bath with water exceeding 50°C.

The incident occurred in June at a special nursing home in Osaka's Higashinari Ward. The suspect, Yuta Miyake, a temporary care worker, is accused of putting a 70-year-old hemiplegic resident into an excessively hot bathtub, resulting in fatal burns.

According to police investigations, the victim required a special chair with safety belts and lifting equipment for bathing. Miyake, working alone during his second shift at the facility, allegedly placed the man into the tub without properly checking the water temperature.

An autopsy confirmed the water temperature exceeded 50°C. The victim suffered severe burns covering 77% of his body and died three weeks later from heat-induced sepsis.

Police revealed the bathroom was equipped with a safety device to prevent overheating, but Miyake had reportedly disabled the mechanism.

Following the incident, Miyake initially admitted to adjusting the water temperature carelessly, stating he immediately withdrew his own hand upon testing the hot water. He claimed he returned the victim to his room and readjusted the temperature, fearing repercussions. However, after his formal arrest on September 30, Miyake denied any intent to harm.

The case has sparked public outrage in Japan and raised concerns about training standards and the safety of temporary staffing systems in care facilities. Authorities are investigating whether the act was intentional and examining potential management failures at the nursing home.