An East Lansing caregiver has been found guilty of second-degree vulnerable adult abuse, after her actions led to the freezing death of an 82-year-old woman. Colleen Kelly O’Connor, 58, was convicted by a Clinton County jury, the office of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. According to The Detroit News, O’Connor is facing up to four years in prison for the conviction, which revolves around the death of a resident at the assisted living facility where O’Connor worked in December 2022.
The conviction stems from an incident that took place during a harsh blizzard on Dec. 23, 2022, where the victim, Lois Kathryn Cary, wandered outside in cold weather without proper attire, not once, but twice. O'Connor saw the victim attempting to exit the facility yet failed to act, leading to Cary's untimely death from exposure to the freezing elements. The Attorney General's Office highlighted the gravity of the caregiver's role and the responsibility that comes with it, saying, “This verdict does not undo the tragic loss of life, but we hope it serves as a reminder of the immense responsibility caregivers have,” mentioned Lansing State Journal.
A snowplow driver discovered Cary outside Vista Springs Imperial Park at Timber Ridge, partially buried in snow early in the morning of the incident. Despite the quick response and efforts of being rushed to a hospital, Cary succumbed to hypothermia, as confirmed by 13 ON YOUR SIDE. The exact duration Cary spent in the blizzard before being found by the snowplow driver remains unknown, deepening the tragedy of the situation.
O'Connor's attorney previously characterised the death as "a tragic accident,", not the result of an intentional or reckless act, expressing hope for a different outcome as the full story emerged. The sentencing for O’Connor is scheduled for July 28, where she will face Judge Cori E. Barkman at 10:30 a.m. in the 29th Circuit Court. Nessel took a moment to express appreciation for the local authorities, saying, “I want to thank the Bath Township Police Department for their partnership during the investigation of this difficult case,” as per Lansing State Journal.
