The mother and father of Lacey Fletcher, the Louisiana woman whose body was found “dissolved” in a maggot-infested sofa in the family’s home, have been sentenced to prison.
On Wednesday, Sheila and Clay Fletcher were each sentenced to 40 years, although 20 will be suspended. They were ordered to serve five years of supervised probation after completing their prison terms, Baton Rogue’s WAFB 9 reported.
According to Advocatethere were more than six hours of testimony from 11 different witnesses before the verdict was read in the 20th District Court in Clinton.
Clay and Sheila Fletcher.
East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office
Both Sheila and Clay reportedly cried, claiming they could have done more to change the outcome.
“Of everything I can say about this case, one thing that keeps coming to mind is that Clay and Sheila Fletcher always chose the path of least resistance when it came to caring for their daughter,” District Judge Kathryn “Betsy” Jones said. in the courtroom.
Per AdvocateLacey’s parents testified that their daughter refused medical attention.
The 36-year-old was found dead at the family home in Slaughter on January 3, 2022. She was in the care of her parents, who were her guardians.
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On Wednesday, prosecutors argued that Lacey’s mental state left her unable to make the decision to refuse treatment.
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empty courtroom with gavel — picture.
Getty
In court documents he obtained Advocate at the time, authorities said Lacey’s body was covered in maggots, “sores on her underside, and fecal matter squished into her face, chest and abdomen.”
The coroner said her weight had dropped to as low as 96 lbs and her bones were visible, WAFB 9 and WBRZ-TV reported.
She also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
The Louisiana coroner ruled that Lacey died of “acute medical neglect” caused over a period dating back to at least 2010. Advocate He said.
Sheila and Clay previously pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
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“We can argue whether this process took three months, six months or three years. I don’t care,” Judge Jones said shortly before announcing the sentence, per Advocate. “This was a tragedy. The truth is that Lacey was lying on the couch slowly dying because she didn’t get any medical or mental health care.”
After the sentencing, District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla said he and his team of prosecutors respect the judge’s decision.
“We hope the community gets the message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated,” D’Aquilla said, reports Advocate. “Watch out for your friends, talk to your neighbors and make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else. It’s something that could have been prevented.”
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Source: HIS Education