Honk News– (Waukesha County, WI) – A Wisconsin mother admitted guilt in court on Thursday afternoon for the tragic death of her adult daughter, who suffered from severe autism, due to starvation.
In June 2023, Amy S. Laszkiewicz, 53, faced a charge of recklessly putting an individual at risk of abuse, leading to death, related to the malnourishment death of Cora Laszkiewicz, 23, on January 4, 2023, as detailed in a criminal complaint acquired by Law&Crime.
The accused had previously stated that the restrictive measures were implemented, in part, to avoid distressing her late daughter over traditionally delicate topics related to her weight, as reported by the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office.
The elder Laszkiewicz faced arrest and charges on June 21, 2023. After swiftly posting $10,000 bail, she was released until mid-August 2023. At that time, Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello determined there was probable cause to uphold the charge, resulting in an order for her continued detention in jail while awaiting trial. She was subsequently granted bail again.
On Thursday, in front of Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael O. Bohren, the defendant entered a guilty plea under the Alford standard. A plea of this nature enables defendants to assert their innocence regarding the specifics of the accusation while acknowledging that the evidence presented by the prosecution would probably persuade a judge or jury of their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The accused could be sentenced to as much as 40 years behind bars. At the plea hearing, a representative for the state indicated that the prosecution aims to seek a sentence of 15 years in prison.
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Amy Laszkiewicz placed the 911 call herself on the morning she discovered her daughter deceased in bed, according to the criminal complaint. Since 2017, the elder Laszkiewicz has been the legal guardian and primary caregiver for her daughter, who has “severe autism.”
Authorities arrived at the scene and discovered the young woman unresponsive, lacking a pulse, and beyond the reach of medical assistance.
The victim, described as “extremely thin and emaciated,” measured 5’5″ and weighed only 70 pounds at the time of her death, as per the medical findings by Dr. Amy Shiel referenced in the complaint.
The report highlights the alarming condition of the victim, with her hip and rib bones protruding through her skin, sunken eyes, and a severe lack of fatty tissue on her body. The medical examiner noted that the skin of the deceased woman exhibited a condition known as “turgor,” indicating that it did not adequately bounce back after being pinched. This condition often indicates severe dehydration.
The criminal complaint reveals that Cora Laszkiewicz’s death was determined to be a homicide, attributed to the caregiver’s neglect in providing sufficient hydration and nutrition for her daughter.
Officials report that Amy Laszkiewicz was mostly open regarding the circumstances in which her daughter was confined and essentially deprived – of both sustenance and any semblance of her previous normal life.
The accused informed authorities that her daughter had remained at home since the onset of the pandemic, expressing a reluctance to attend school, receive visitors, or venture out, as stated in the complaint.
According to the complaint, the defendant reportedly informed law enforcement that her daughter had not seen a doctor in person since 2019.
Authorities report that the woman who passed away had her last appointment with her primary care doctor in 2017, at the age of 17. During her most recent routine check-up, she recorded a weight of 135 pounds.
Amy Laszkiewicz reportedly informed investigators that her daughter “was never a big eater,” according to the complaint, yet she would consume “breakfast burritos” while adhering to a gluten and dairy-free diet.
The mother facing condemnation expressed that she was aware her daughter was losing weight but believed she would eventually recover. During an inquiry by a detective regarding whether she had thought about contacting emergency services to take her daughter to a hospital due to her significant weight loss, the defendant expressed that she “didn’t want to upset” the young woman.
Amy Laszkiewicz reportedly claimed that, as stated in the complaint, she solely managed all aspects of her daughter’s feeding and cleaning.
At the Thursday hearing, prosecutors requested the revocation of bail, contending that Laszkiewicz had become a flight risk following his conviction. The court ultimately rejected the request, permitting the defendant to stay free on bail while awaiting sentencing.
The sentencing for the case is scheduled for March 21 at 9:30 a.m.