In a heart-wrenching case of neglect and abuse, 53-year-old Amy S. Laszkiewicz has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to the death of her daughter, Cora Laszkiewicz. Cora, 23, who had severe autism, tragically passed away on January 4, 2023, after being subjected to extreme starvation and neglect under her mother’s care. The case has shocked the community and drawn attention to the severe consequences of caregiver neglect, especially when it involves vulnerable individuals with special needs.
The Final Days: A Life of Starvation and Isolation
Cora Laszkiewicz was born with severe autism, requiring continuous care and attention. As an adult, she was still reliant on her mother for her basic needs. Tragically, Amy Laszkiewicz failed to provide her daughter with the essential nutrition, medical care, and hydration she needed to survive. In fact, it was reported that Cora’s weight had plummeted to a devastating 70 pounds at the time of her death.
According to court documents and statements made by law enforcement, Amy admitted that she had refrained from discussing Cora’s health and weight issues, fearing it would upset her daughter. As Cora’s condition worsened, Amy did not seek help or medical attention for her daughter. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mother and daughter had become increasingly isolated, with Amy choosing to keep Cora in their home and avoid outside intervention. This isolation and lack of care culminated in Cora’s death.
In the days leading up to her death, Cora’s condition had worsened significantly. She was severely dehydrated and malnourished. Her body showed signs of extreme dehydration, and she was unable to move or communicate effectively. Her mother’s neglect left her without the basic necessities of life, such as food, water, and medical attention. Despite her daughter’s rapidly declining health, Amy did not take the necessary steps to ensure her well-being.
911 Call and the Discovery of Cora’s Body
On January 4, 2023, Amy called 911, telling the dispatcher that her daughter was unresponsive and not breathing. When paramedics arrived at the scene, they discovered Cora’s emaciated body. The 23-year-old had suffered from extreme malnutrition, weighing only 70 pounds, a fraction of what an adult of her age and height should have weighed.
Investigators discovered that Cora had not received medical attention for years. Her skin was reported to be sagging due to severe dehydration, and she had developed bedsores, a common sign of neglect. Cora’s death was ruled a homicide, with the cause being acute malnutrition and dehydration. Law enforcement officials were quick to point out that the neglect was not an isolated incident but rather a prolonged pattern of disregard for her well-being.
Amy’s behavior and her failure to seek help for her daughter’s deteriorating condition raised alarm among authorities, especially considering the fact that Cora had been isolated in their home for so long. It was revealed that Amy had not taken her daughter to a doctor in years, neglecting the basic health needs of her disabled child. This failure to provide essential care led to the tragic loss of Cora’s life.
The Courtroom: Amy Laszkiewicz’s Defense and Sentencing
During the trial, Amy Laszkiewicz’s defense argued that she loved her daughter and did not intentionally cause harm. They claimed that the mother had struggled with her own mental health issues and did not know how to properly care for her daughter. However, the prosecution countered this argument, citing that Amy’s neglect was not accidental but a deliberate pattern of disregard for her daughter’s needs.
Judge Michael O. Bohren, who presided over the case, described the postmortem images of Cora as resembling victims of concentration camps, emphasizing the extreme and deliberate nature of the abuse. He noted the severity of the malnutrition and dehydration that led to Cora’s death, calling the situation “beyond tragic.” The court found that Amy Laszkiewicz’s actions were reckless, and that she had failed to seek the necessary help for her daughter despite numerous opportunities to do so.
The sentencing, which took place on May 14, 2024, saw Amy Laszkiewicz sentenced to 20 years in prison for her daughter’s death. Additionally, she was given 15 years of supervised release following her sentence. The judge emphasized the need for justice in this case, acknowledging the lasting impact that the loss of Cora would have on the community and those who knew her.
The Long-Term Consequences of Neglecting Disabled Individuals
The tragic death of Cora Laszkiewicz has brought to light the serious issue of neglect in cases involving disabled individuals who are dependent on others for care. Cora’s autism left her unable to advocate for herself or communicate her needs, and Amy’s failure to provide even the most basic necessities ultimately led to her untimely death.
Cases like this emphasize the responsibility caregivers have to provide proper care and attention to individuals with special needs, whether they are children or adults. The death of Cora has highlighted the lack of oversight that can exist when individuals with disabilities are left in the care of one person without support or intervention from outside sources. Cora’s condition had gone unnoticed by medical professionals, as she had not seen a doctor in years. This neglectful practice raises important questions about the effectiveness of the systems in place to support vulnerable individuals with disabilities and their families.
The Impact on the Community and Family
Cora’s tragic death has devastated the local community in Wisconsin, where she was known to be a sweet and innocent young woman who was simply in need of proper care. Friends and family members of Cora have expressed their shock and sadness over her death, particularly given that it could have been prevented. Many are left wondering how a mother could neglect her child to such an extent, and they are calling for more action to ensure that such abuse does not happen again in the future.
While Amy Laszkiewicz will spend years behind bars, the loss of Cora is irreparable for her family and friends. The emotional and psychological toll on her loved ones will last far beyond the sentencing, as they try to come to terms with the devastating circumstances of her death.
Lessons Learned and Future Safeguards
This tragic case has highlighted the need for better safeguards for individuals with special needs, especially those who depend on family members for care. More oversight is needed to ensure that caregivers are meeting the health and safety needs of vulnerable individuals. As a society, we must ask ourselves whether enough is being done to prevent neglect and abuse in caregiving situations.
Social services, healthcare providers, and law enforcement must work together to identify cases of neglect before they reach a breaking point. Regular visits by healthcare professionals to homes where individuals with disabilities are being cared for could help prevent such tragedies. Furthermore, communities must be more vigilant in looking out for vulnerable individuals, particularly those who cannot speak for themselves.