LANSING, Mich. — An East Lansing woman was convicted in the freezing death of an elderly woman on Thursday, Attorney General Dana Nessel shared Friday.
Colleen Kelly O’Connor, 58, was convicted by a Clinton County jury of Vulnerable Adult Abuse—Second Degree related to the death by exposure of an 82-year-old woman on December 23, 2022.
The charge is a felony, carrying a sentence of up to four years.
Nessel said at the time the woman died, she was under O'Connor's care at Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, the Clinton County assisted living facility where she worked.
“This verdict does not undo the tragic loss of life, but we hope it serves as a reminder of the immense responsibility caregivers have,” said Nessel. “I want to thank the Bath Township Police Department for their partnership during the investigation of this difficult case.”
The trial lasted two and a half days, during which Nessel admitted evidence showing that early in the morning on Dec. 23, 2022, O'Connor saw the victim try to go outside in a blizzard twice without proper attire.
Nessel said the blizzard had single-digit temperatures, subzero windchill and blowing and drifting snow. She said as a caregiver, O'Connor recklessly failed to stop the woman from going outside, resulting in her death.
According to Nessel, the victim was found in the parking lot around 7 a.m. partially buried in the snow. It's unknown how long she was outside before she was found.
The woman was taken to a local hospital but died due to hypothermia shortly after she got there.
O’Connor is scheduled to be sentenced on July 29 at 10:30 a.m. by Judge Cori E. Barkman of the 29th Circuit Court.
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