Three individuals are facing charges of neglect after an elderly woman was found in deplorable conditions, described as being ‘covered in cockroaches, bedbugs, and feces’.
On May 17, 2023, first responders discovered 79-year-old Dinora Cardoso in her Massachusetts home following a 911 call from her daughter, Eva.
Dinora succumbed to a flesh-eating infection and sepsis, which stemmed from severe ulcers on her body, just two days after being found.
According to WXFT, when authorities arrived, Dinora was in her bed with her skin adhered to the bedding due to the severity of her ulcers. It was reported that she had to be transported to the hospital while still on her mattress to facilitate surgical removal.
The ulcers developed into necrotizing fasciitis, a condition identified during her medical examination.
The Cleveland Clinic describes necrotizing fasciitis as a ‘severe rapidly spreading’ bacterial infection that targets the fascia, the tissue beneath the skin.
Dinora’s infections also led to sepsis, which Cleveland Clinic defines as ‘a life-threatening medical emergency caused by your body’s overwhelming response to an infection.’ The clinic warns that without immediate treatment, sepsis can result in tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
Tragically, Dinora passed away shortly after her discovery, prompting authorities to investigate those who were supposed to be caring for her.
A press release from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office alleges that Eva Cardoso, Dinora’s daughter, was employed as her personal care attendant (PCA), and Kayla Cardoso, Dinora’s granddaughter and Eva’s niece, was appointed as her health care proxy and PCA Program Surrogate.
Lisa Hamilton, a registered nurse, was allegedly responsible for weekly visits to monitor Dinora’s care, medical conditions, and medication consumption.
The investigation into Dinora’s death revealed that Hamilton had reportedly noted a week before the incident that Dinora was ‘clean, well cared for, alert, and that her diabetes was well-controlled.’
Prosecutors stated: “She made no mention of pressure ulcers, feces, bedbugs, or cockroaches. EMT and hospital records clearly showed that Dinora had completely uncontrolled diabetes. Additionally, an expert entomologist informed investigators that the level of insect infestation Dinora experienced would have taken at least several weeks to accumulate.”
Eva and Kayla are accused of falsely billing MassHealth for unprovided services, with Eva allegedly receiving over $140,000 for her PCA care of Dinora.
On November 22, all three women were arrested and charged.
Eva Cardoso faces charges of manslaughter, ‘Caretaker Neglect (Causing Serious Bodily Injury), Caretaker Neglect (Permitting or Committing Abuse, Neglect, or Mistreatment), Medicaid Fraud, and Larceny over $1,200’.
Her bail is set at $5,000, and she is prohibited from contacting witnesses, leaving the state, and working in healthcare with children or the elderly.
Kayla Cardoso is charged with ‘Caretaker Neglect (Causing Serious Bodily Injury), Caretaker Neglect (Permitting or Committing Abuse, Neglect, or Mistreatment), Medicaid Fraud, and Larceny over $1,200’, with a bail of $500 under similar conditions as Eva.
Hamilton is charged with ‘Caretaker Neglect (Causing Serious Bodily Injury), Caretaker Neglect (Permitting or Committing Abuse, Neglect, or Mistreatment), and Fraudulent Claims’, with the same bail conditions as Kayla, but she is permitted to continue nursing under supervision.
The three women are scheduled to return to court on January 15.