A Melbourne man was found guilty this week of neglecting his 87-year-old grandmother, resulting in her “untimely and agonising death,” according to the State Attorney’s Office.
In a statement, SAO officials stated that the man, Allen Arias, 47, was arrested in 2019 after taking his grandmother to the hospital.
“Hospital staff found the woman covered in bed sores, some of them infested with maggots and other insects,” the release reads.
As a result, Melbourne police searched Arias and his grandmother’s home on Count Street and discovered “filthy conditions” in her bedroom, according to the release.
Police also discovered diabetes drugs in her room that had been prescribed but never administered, according to SAO officials.
According to investigators, the autopsy revealed that she died of dehydration, emaciation, sepsis, and extremely high blood sugar.
“Prosecutors pointed to Arias’ acknowledgement of serving as (her) caretaker — who was aware of her diabetes and mobility issues — while living in the home she owned,” the release said.
According to the SAO, Arias and other family members described their grandmother as a “lifelong curmudgeon and hoarder” who refused food, medicine, and doctor’s appointments.
Despite this, Arias was found guilty on Tuesday of aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person.
“It’s unfair to say she died the way she lived,” Assistant State Attorney Tiffany Colon said. “Elderly people might be set in their ways, but you still need to do what you need to do to take care of them — or you need to ask for help.”
Aggravated manslaughter is a first-degree felony that carries up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Arias now has a sentencing hearing scheduled for August 20.
