A Philadelphia man’s mother and sister have been sentenced to prison time and probation for neglecting their caregiving duties, acts which led to the man’s critical hospitalization, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. Rashina Long, age 48, and Jasmine Long, age 33, pleaded guilty earlier this year to neglect of a care-dependent person and committing Medicaid fraud.
On Thursday, both Rashina and Jasmine Long were handed sentences of two to four years in prison, followed by seven years of probationary supervision. During this time, they will not be permitted to work in any care-providing capacity. Attorney General Michelle Henry denounced their conduct as "egregious," citing that the family connection to the victim added a layer of betrayal to the crime. “My office will not tolerate neglectful behavior that harms people in need of care and defrauds the Medicaid system,” Henry stated.
As direct caregivers to the quadriplegic victim, the mother and sister were tasked with essential responsibilities, including bathing, skincare, meal prep, and ensuring that he was regularly repositioned to prevent bed sores. The neglect was discovered when the victim was hospitalized in October 2022 and doctors noted severe pressure wounds, malnutrition, and dehydration, requiring intensive medical intervention including a blood transfusion and mechanical ventilation support.
The investigation from the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Section revealed that from December 2021 through September 2022, fraudulent claims to Medicaid amounted to over $140,000 for services that were not actually provided. The prosecution, led by Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna, emphasizes the seriousness of the Medicaid fraud component in addition to the harrowing neglect suffered by the victim at the hands of his family caregivers. The case brought to light the often unseen abuses within home care, especially for vulnerable individuals dependent on others for their daily needs.
