Judge orders competency evaluation for Chesterfield mother charged with abuse, neglect in connection to son’s death

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield mother went before a judge on Tuesday, Feb. 10, charged with abuse and neglect in connection to the death of her 28-year-old son who had autism.

Sixty-year-old Manisha Nath appeared in Chesterfield's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, for a scheduled preliminary hearing, however that did not occur. Instead her attorneys requested competency and sanity evaluations. Both requests were granted by Judge Scott Landry, putting the case on pause.

"Nothing more can happen with the case until that defendant is taken to a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist, and they do an evaluation to determine whether they understand the proceedings and can they assist their attorney," said 8News legal analyst Russ Stone.

In court Tuesday, Nath expressed concerns with her defense attorneys and told Judge Landry that she isn't being represented properly.

"Nobody ever asked me how I'm doing in Riverside Jail. I think I'm innocent, I should be allowed to go home," Nath said.

She also shared frustrations with how her hearings are scheduled.

"If I have to go through with this, can we schedule court hearings faster," Nath asked. "Can we meet in two weeks not in two months."

Stone said her questioning may have played a role in the judge's decision to grant her defense's competency request.

Nath was arrested a day after her son, Somak Nath died on October 22, 2025. Officers said he was found suffering from cardiac arrest outside of their home on Woods Walk Lane in Midlothian.

According to a criminal complaint, “Somak was reported to be only 65 pounds, indicating possible [mal]nourishment, missing most of his top teeth, and his bottom teeth were rotted.”

The complaint also said that he had sores and was covered in grime, indicating that he might not have bathed for some time.

Police said his mother was his caretaker, as he was unable to care for himself. A search warrant was also executed on Nath’s home where police found little to no food in the kitchen, and an excessive amount of black mold and a lack of running water.

Nath also requested a change in counsel on Tuesday, but that request was denied by the judge.

The results of both evaluations will likely be presented at Nash's next court date on March 10.