MELBOURNE, Fla. – A Melbourne man was found guilty this week for neglecting his 87-year-old grandmother, leading to her “untimely and agonizing death,” according to the State Attorney’s Office.
In a release, SAO officials announced that the man — Allen Arias, 47 — was arrested in 2019 after he took his grandmother to the hospital.
Recommended Videos
“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 the house that Arias and his grandmother were sharing on Count Street, finding “filthy conditions” in her bedroom, the release states.
In addition, police discovered diabetes drugs in her room that had been prescribed to her but had never been administered, SAO officials explained.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
Investigators said that the autopsy later determined she had died from dehydration, emaciation, sepsis, and highly elevated 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 continues.
According to the SAO, Arias and other family members portrayed the grandmother as a “lifelong curmudgeon and hoarder” who refused food, medicine, and doctors’ appointments.
Despite that, Arias was ultimately convicted 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, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Arias now faces a sentencing hearing scheduled for Aug. 20.