Families whose loved ones were cared for at Arlington assisted living facilities operated by Regla Su Becquer say they are disappointed after a plea deal brought the criminal case against her to a close.

Becquer was sentenced this week to a total of 30 years in prison for financial abuse of the elderly, abandoning or endangering an individual, and criminally negligent homicide. Arlington police linked at least 20 deaths to Becquer’s assisted living facilities.

Among those deaths were Karen Walker and Esmeralda Tovar.

Roger Simon, Walker’s cousin, said Walker was 61 and had problems regulating her blood sugar but was otherwise doing well when she went into Becquer’s care.

“Oh my gosh, she was just a delightful person,” Simon said.

Simon said he never expected his cousin to die while living at the facility.

“No, I did not. Absolutely not. She was only 61 years old. Her problem was keeping her blood sugar regulated. Other than that, she was doing fine,” Simon said.

Mary Ann Gonzales said her older sister, Tovar, had onset dementia and had been under Becquer’s care for about three weeks.

“When she went in, she was still walking and talking and everything,” Gonzales said.

Both families lived out of town and said they began to become concerned about the care their loved ones were receiving.

“I said, you know what? I’m driving up there right now, I go, this is ridiculous that you can’t. You can’t let me talk to her or anything,” Gonzales said.

Simon said Walker wanted to leave.

“She said, I don’t like it here; I want to go home. Well, they didn’t let her go home,” Simon said.

Simon had expected to testify at Becquer’s trial.

“I don’t care what it would take, I would be there,” Simon said.

Instead, he learned this week that Becquer had reached a plea deal with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Gonzales said.

Both families said they believe the resulting punishment isn’t enough.

“Well, I’m upset. And I’ve been upset ever since I heard that, because I feel that she should never see the light of day again,” Simon said.

For Simon, the resolution of the case brought back the pain of losing his cousin.

“I cried myself to sleep last night. It’s just, it just brings it all right back again, like it was fresh,” Simon said.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication.