Fall-River-grandmothers-family-charged-with-elder-abuse (USA)

By Kevin P. O’Connor

Herald News Staff Reporter

Jul 27, 2010

An 80-year-old woman is on life support at St. Anne’s Hospital, the victim of neglect so severe it nearly killed her and left her with bedsores deep enough to expose tendons, a prosecutor alleged.

For that, the woman’s daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons were arraigned Tuesday, charged with permitting injury to a disabled person. The prosecutor asked for bail of $100,000 cash for each person.

If the woman dies, the charge will be upgraded to manslaughter, the prosecutor said.
“This has to be one of the most egregious and horrible cases of elder abuse anyone has ever seen,” prosecutor Steven E. Gagne argued at the arraignment. The family, essentially, was letting the woman rot to death in her chair, Gagne alleged.

Karen Cabral, 49, and her husband Duarte Cabral, 51, as well as their sons, Corey Cabral, 21, Keith Cabral, 28, and Scott Cabral, 24, all lived in a second-floor apartment on Lonsdale Street along with Karen Cabral’s mother. Karen, Duarte and Cory Cabral were the principal care takers, Gagne alleged.

All five were arrested Monday night following an investigation by Fall River Police and the State Police. Bail was set at $20,000 cash or $200,000 surety for Karen, Duarte and Corey Cabral. Bail for Keith and Scott Cabral was set at $5,000 cash or $50,000 surety.

Police began the investigation Saturday after paramedics, called by the family, brought the woman to St. Anne’s Hospital and doctors saw her condition, Gagne said.

“It was immediately apparent to them that (the woman) was the victim of appalling neglect,” Gagne said.

Abridged
SOURCE:    The Herald News
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