DAIGHTON, MA – The disturbing discovery of an elderly woman, found in dire conditions in her Massachusetts home has led to manslaughter and neglect charges against her daughter, granddaughter, and a registered nurse, prosecutors announced.

Eva Fontes Cardoso, 53, Kayla Cardoso, 31, and Lisa Hamilton, 64, allegedly neglected Dinora Cardoso, 79, leaving her in an appalling state until her death. Authorities claim the family members exploited their roles as caregivers to defraud Medicaid and failed to provide essential care.

Eva Cardoso, the woman’s daughter, was responsible for her mother’s daily care and was paid through the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program. Her niece, Kayla Cardoso, managed health care decisions for Dinora as her health care proxy. Investigations reveal the duo submitted fraudulent claims to MassHealth, charging for care services allegedly given while Dinora Cardoso was hospitalized or even deceased.

Records show more than $140,000 was paid to Eva Cardoso over three years for Dinora’s supposed care, a portion of which she allegedly shared with Kayla. Authorities uncovered these discrepancies after emergency responders were called to the elderly woman’s home this past May.

When first responders arrived, they encountered a horrifying scene according to reports. Dinora Cardoso was emaciated and adhered to a mattress saturated with bodily waste and infested by insects. Unbelievably, her state was so dire she had to be taken to the hospital still attached to the pest-ridden bed.

The hospital confirmed she succumbed to necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis, aggravated by prolonged neglect and severe infections from unchecked bedsores. Investigations question how Hamilton, the nurse charged in the case, could report only a week earlier that Dinora was well-cared for and in good health.

During her evaluation, Hamilton noted nothing amiss with Dinora’s living conditions or medical status. However, this contradicted the reality and medical records of the situation, raising questions about the accuracy of her assessments and possible complicity.

The Cardoso case highlights the vulnerabilities of dependent seniors and the gaping holes in patient oversight that can enable such tragedies. The accused are scheduled to appear before a judge on January 15.