Mental evaluation slated for aunt in niece s death

5/13/2008

A 71-year-old woman accused of failing to care for her impaired niece who later died will be evaluated to determine whether she was not guilty by reason of insanity, Lucas County Common Pleas Judge Stacy Cook ordered yesterday.

Naomi George of 1812 Ridgewood Ave., who is charged with reckless homicide and failure to care for a functionally impaired person, was referred to the Court Diagnostic and Treatment Facility. She was being held in the county jail in lieu of $25,000 bond and faces up to 6 years in prison if convicted on both charges.

Lorna George, 52, died Jan. 30 at the Ridgewood address, where she lived with her aunt who cared for her for 49 years. Authorities said Lorna George, bedridden since birth, suffered from hydrocephalus, the result of excess fluid in the skull.

Lorna George died from sepsis, severe decubitus ulcers, malnutrition, dehydration, and chronic hydrocephalus, court records show.