Naisia Norman, 22, allegedly allowed her autistic uncle to starve to death.
According to the Daily News , prosecutors claim that the Bronx resident let 42-year-old James Thompson progressively die during a two-year period of abuse and neglect.
A niece is being charged in the death of her autistic uncle, who weighed 70 pounds http://t.co/bVivn3pSUc pic.twitter.com/NNUvZCXpQB
— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) August 19, 2015
Prosecutor Adam Oustatcher opened up about the case in the Bronx Supreme Court on Wednesday.
“It appears that Mr. Thompson was left alive in his apartment to wither on the vine and die.”
The report states that from 2010 until Thompson’s death in June 2012, the state licensed home health aide did not feed or care for him.
Naisia would reportedly even steal the majority of James Thompson’s Social Security benefits each month.
She collected $8,628 on behalf of her uncle in Social Security payments between February 2011 and late January 2012. However, Oustatcher confirmed that she only spent $720 of those funds on her uncle.
After her uncle passed away, Naisia Norman continued to access those funds – withdrawing $242 on June 29 and $455 on July 3.
Woman Accused Starving Autistic Uncle to Death, Bronx DA Charges: Naisia Norman, 22, is accused of manslaughter and… http://t.co/cbX5Q7JbW4
— Black NYC (@blckny) August 19, 2015
Norman took over caring for her uncle shortly after her 18th birthday. Norman’s mother cared for Thompson beforehand, but she was moved to a nursing home after being diagnosed with dementia in 2010.
Back in 2010, the 5’8? man weighed 145 pounds. However, according to police, Thompson weighed only 70 pounds when his body was discovered on the floor of his apartment.
His ribs were protruding when the police officers arrived, and his apartment was reportedly filled with garbage and feces.
NBC 4 New York discussed her arraignment and the condition of her uncle’s home on Wednesday.
“At her arraignment Wednesday, prosecutors said police responding to the 911 call Norman placed the day her uncle died noticed filthy conditions and a lack of food — only bread crumbs and cake frosting were found in the home. An investigation was launched, culminating in Wednesday’s indictment.”
Naisia Norman was charged with a count of criminally negligent homicide in addition to second-degree manslaughter – both felony charges. Her bail was set by the judge at $75,000.
Daily News reports that Norman “mumbled” a plea of not guilty in response to the accusations made against her in court on Wednesday.
If she is convicted of the charges filed against her, Naisia Norman could face up to 15 years in jail.
[Image Credit: NYPD]
