Woman admits role in deadly abuse of disabled

The daughter of a Philadelphia woman charged with torturing mentally challenged adults in her care has pleaded guilty in the case.

KYW-AM reports that 35-year-old Jean McIntosh has pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy, hate crimes against the disabled and kidnapping resulting in death.

Federal authorities believe her mother, Jean Weston, took in the victims for their Social Security checks and locked them in basements with little food.

The victims have said the abuse went on for years. Officials believe two people died in Weston’s care.

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McIntosh’s plea could bring a life sentence. Her lawyer did not immediately return an Associated Press call for comment.

Weston and three others are awaiting trial.

The arrests in 2011 came after a Philadelphia landlord found the victims in a boiler room and called police.

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