Foster Mom ‘Snubbed’ Severely Disabled Dying Teen Who Suffered Excruciating Pain; Indicted
A California woman who ran a foster care home for severely disabled kids and adults with her husband has been charged with murder for allegedly snubbing a 17-year-old girl who vomited blood and died after suffering excruciating pain for almost nine hours, authorities said.
Her husband, on the other hand, has been charged with child neglect for the way he allegedly treated the teenager before she died.
Michelle Morris Kerin, the 80-year-old woman, ran "Morris Small Family Home" along with her 79-year-old husband Edward Lawrence Kerin. The two were indicted for the death of 17-year-old Diane Ramirez who lived at the facility, according to a news release from Riverside County District Attorney on Monday.
According to the release, Michelle's charges were based on the evidence that she refused to seek help for Ramirez even when she had inconsistent vital signs. Meanwhile, Edward was indicted for child neglect of the teenager prior to her death on April 6, 2019.
The two have also been accused of physically abusing children and adults in their care at the facility. An investigation revealed that the duo engaged in sexual abuse of some of the adults who lacked the mental capacity to give consent.
The couple was charged on a 14-count indictment for crimes including murder, child endangerment likely to cause great bodily injury or death, dependent adult endangerment likely to cause great bodily injury or death, and lewd acts on a dependent adult, the District Attorney announced.
"That investigation uncovered what is alleged to be several years of physical abuse and neglect of dependent children and adults, along with sexual abuse against three dependent adults who had been placed in the home," prosecutors wrote.
Ramirez reportedly lived with cerebral palsy, a seizure disorder, and other issues. She was placed at the facility while her parents were going through a divorce and could not take care of her, Law & Crime reported. After Ramirez's death, her parents sued Riverside County for $10 million for placing their teen at the facility that they described as similar to awaiting a death sentence to happen.
Investigators found that the facility was not staffed properly for 24-hour care and medical records were not properly maintained. The couple reportedly abused and neglected the residents who were unable to fight back, prosecutors said. "Many of the victims were non-ambulatory and unable to speak, requiring 24-hour care," the news release said.
Michelle remains in custody in lieu of $1 million and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 12. The court has scheduled Edward's arraignment for Dec. 17, 2021