Four Guilty in Kelly fraud and conspiracy case

Prosecutors won guilty verdicts in the case against four health care workers hired to look after a disabled Philadelphia teen. 14-year old Danieal Kelly died of starvation in her parents’ home in 2006.

Prosecutors won guilty verdicts in the case against four health care workers hired to look after a disabled Philadelphia teen. 14-year old Danieal Kelly died of starvation in her parents’ home in 2006.

Two managers at MultiEthnic Behavioral Health were found guilty on 18 counts of fraud and conspiracy. Two case workers were each found guilty of all but 3 counts.

Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia argued the agency, subcontracted by the city’s Department of Human Services, had systemically neglected difficult cases like this one.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben says Kelly was the worst example of widespread criminal neglect.

Witzleben:
This was a safety net set up by the city in part using federal funds for the purpose of trying to protect these kids whose parents were overwhelmed. They didn’t do the job and instead conspired to prevent the city and the gov from finding out for years.

Sentencing is scheduled for June. Two of the defendents – one of the managers and one case worker – will also face manslaughter charges.

The mother of Danieal is now serving a 40-years prison term.