Dakota Valkyrie
February 26th, 2009, 09:02 AM
http://i42.tinypic.com/qxlaah.jpgAn arrest warrant has been issued for a woman who police say allowed her home to sink into an extreme state of squalor, after she failed to appear in court on charges in her mother's death.
Stephanie Cooper, 39, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and vulnerable adult abuse in the death of Agnes Cooper, who was taken by ambulance from the Cooper house in November 2007.
Bedridden, Agnes Cooper, 63, had open sores and dead flesh dropping from her body. Her death was ruled a homicide and due to sepsis, multiple pressure sores and neglect.
State investigators found knee-high trash filled every room, a refrigerator full of rotten food, and food, trash and debris over nearly every surface and floor of the split-level ranch.
Agnes Cooper's bed, in the dining room of the home, was found to be black from urine and feces, and the walls and floor of the home had feces on them. Her broken bed held a soiled mattress that produced maggots.
According to a court file, Stephanie Cooper told investigators she had been "tired the past two weeks and it had just happened." She also took issue with the home being described as "deplorable" by state investigators.
On Aug. 7, Cooper was arraigned on criminal charges. On Wednesday, she had been ordered to appear in Southfield District Court for a hearing to review the results of a competency examination to determine whether she is able to stand trial on the charges.
Judge William J. Richards issued a warrant for Cooper's arrest when she failed to appear. Oakland County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Paul Walton said his office had heard Cooper was in the hospital but until that was officially confirmed, the warrant would remain active. If convicted, Cooper faces up to 15 years in prison.
After Agnes Cooper's death, Child Protective Service workers removed Stephanie Cooper's 9-year-old daughter from the home and placed her in foster care.
A psychological exam of Stephanie Cooper last year revealed she suffered from unmanaged diabetes, which contributed to poor health and a poor mental state. On Sept. 11, Cooper voluntarily terminated her parental rights to her daughter, prosecutors said.http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090226/METRO02/902260374/1409/METRO
Stephanie Cooper, 39, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and vulnerable adult abuse in the death of Agnes Cooper, who was taken by ambulance from the Cooper house in November 2007.
Bedridden, Agnes Cooper, 63, had open sores and dead flesh dropping from her body. Her death was ruled a homicide and due to sepsis, multiple pressure sores and neglect.
State investigators found knee-high trash filled every room, a refrigerator full of rotten food, and food, trash and debris over nearly every surface and floor of the split-level ranch.
Agnes Cooper's bed, in the dining room of the home, was found to be black from urine and feces, and the walls and floor of the home had feces on them. Her broken bed held a soiled mattress that produced maggots.
According to a court file, Stephanie Cooper told investigators she had been "tired the past two weeks and it had just happened." She also took issue with the home being described as "deplorable" by state investigators.
On Aug. 7, Cooper was arraigned on criminal charges. On Wednesday, she had been ordered to appear in Southfield District Court for a hearing to review the results of a competency examination to determine whether she is able to stand trial on the charges.
Judge William J. Richards issued a warrant for Cooper's arrest when she failed to appear. Oakland County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Paul Walton said his office had heard Cooper was in the hospital but until that was officially confirmed, the warrant would remain active. If convicted, Cooper faces up to 15 years in prison.
After Agnes Cooper's death, Child Protective Service workers removed Stephanie Cooper's 9-year-old daughter from the home and placed her in foster care.
A psychological exam of Stephanie Cooper last year revealed she suffered from unmanaged diabetes, which contributed to poor health and a poor mental state. On Sept. 11, Cooper voluntarily terminated her parental rights to her daughter, prosecutors said.http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090226/METRO02/902260374/1409/METRO