New York City woman charged with letting her severely autistic uncle starve to death
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This undated photo provided by the Bronx District Attorney's Office shows Naisia Norman, who is accused of letting her severely autistic uncle, James Thompson, starve to death amid filth. Norman has been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, prosecutors said Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015. She pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the 2012 death. (Bronx District Attorney's Office via AP) (The Associated Press)
Prosecutors say a New York City woman let her severely autistic uncle starve to death.
Bronx prosecutors said Wednesday that 22-year-old Naisia Norman pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Authorities say Norman was supposed to care for 42-year-old James Thompson. But they say Thompson was neglected and died in 2012, dropping from 145 pounds to 70 pounds in two years.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Authorities say Norman collected $8,628 in Social Security benefits from February 2011 until February 2012 to care for Thompson, but she spent just $722 on his food and medical care.
Police told prosecutors there were only bread crumbs and cake frosting in the home.
A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide caused by nutritional and medical neglect.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It wasn't immediately clear whether Norman had an attorney.