Caregiver gets prison term for woman's neglect death.Byline: Bill Bishop The Register-Guard A Eugene woman charged with murder by abuse for causing the death of a 60-year-old woman she was paid to care for has accepted a plea deal for a mandatory six-year, three-month prison sentence on a charge of second-degree manslaughter. Christina Mae Ashby, 24, admitted that she recklessly caused the death of Mary Louise Johnson, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. court records. She could have faced a mandatory 25-year term if convicted of murder by abuse. Ashby agreed to the deal last Wednesday in Lane County Circuit Court and was sentenced immediately under Measure 11. Lane County District Attorney Doug Harcleroad said he unintentionally failed to issue a news advisory about the case. Court records show that Johnson had a long history of medical problems, including diabetes, liver disease Liver Disease Definition Liver disease is a general term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the liver. Description The liver is a large, solid organ located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. and multiple sclerosis. However, an autopsy showed that she died from septic shock Septic Shock Definition Septic shock is a potentially lethal drop in blood pressure due to the presence of bacteria in the blood. Description Septic shock is a possible consequence of bacteremia, or bacteria in the bloodstream. from infected skin ulcers and pneumonia. Evidence also showed that Ashby had neglected to treat Johnson's diabetes. Johnson also was under<302>nourished nour·ish tr.v. nour·ished, nour·ish·ing, nour·ish·es 1. To provide with food or other substances necessary for life and growth; feed. 2. and dehydrated de·hy·drate v. de·hy·drat·ed, de·hy·drat·ing, de·hy·drates v.tr. 1. To remove water from; make anhydrous. 2. To preserve by removing water from (vegetables, for example). , according to court records. Daniel Sheridan, an abuse expert and associate professor at Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University, mainly at Baltimore, Md. Johns Hopkins in 1867 had a group of his associates incorporated as the trustees of a university and a hospital, endowing each with $3.5 million. Daniel C. hired by the district attorney to review the case, described it as "one of the very worst cases of neglect I have seen in my career." "Johnson had to have experienced horrific pain in the weeks before death," he wrote in a report. Ashby was married to a man who Johnson raised from an early age. The state Senior and Disabled Services Division paid Ashby almost $1,700 a month to provide round-the-clock care for Johnson in their home on North Park Avenue since 2004. Under the plea deal, Ashby cannot be released early for any reason and will be held in either a minimum or medium custody prison, according to court records. |
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