{"id":262801,"date":"2026-08-10T19:44:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/262801\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T19:44:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:44:35","slug":"northampton-county-caregiver-charged-with-neglect-following-death-of-care-dependent-woman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/262801\/","title":{"rendered":"Northampton County Caregiver Charged with Neglect Following Death of Care-Dependent Woman"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a> <\/p>\n

A Northampton County woman has been charged with neglecting a care-dependent woman under her care, which ultimately led to the victim\u2019s death.<\/p>\n

Susan Edwards, 59, of Pen Argyl, was arrested and charged with two felony counts of neglect of a care-dependent person, causing serious bodily injury or death and endangering the welfare of a care-dependent person. Her bail was set at $50,000 unsecured. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 19.<\/p>\n

The victim, a 51-year-old woman with Down Syndrome, was found dead on Oct. 15, 2023, inside Edwards\u2019 home. According to an investigation by the Office of Attorney General\u2019s Medicaid Fraud Control Section, Edwards left the woman in the care of another resident with an intellectual or developmental disability on the day she passed away.<\/p>\n

The victim died from septic complications from untreated pressure ulcers. A wound care expert concluded the wounds were present for more than four weeks and would have been noticeable to the caregiver.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery Pennsylvanian deserves to be treated with dignity and receive the care they need \u2014 and this case involves a blatant neglect of care that led to death,\u201d Attorney General Sunday said. \u201cMy office will continue to take very seriously our mission to protect our most vulnerable citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Edwards was a Lifesharing provider through Access Services providing care for the victim. Lifesharing providers offer care for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the provider\u2019s home. Edwards was responsible for assisting the victim with activities of daily living, including meal preparation, hygiene, medical assistance, and transportation to medical appointments. Edwards was also required to monitor the victim\u2019s health and report any significant changes in her condition to Access.<\/p>\n

Edwards failed to notify Access Services that she was unable to provide care for the victim, so arrangements could be made for an alternate caregiver. Investigators also determined that multiple medical appointments were canceled or delayed as the victim\u2019s condition worsened.<\/p>\n

During an interview with agents, Edwards admitted she had been aware of the wounds for several weeks and attempted to treat them herself rather than seek medical care.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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