FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. — A Fayette County woman and her boyfriend are facing charges in connection with the death of the woman’s mother, police said on Friday.
Authorities said Lisa Nelson and her boyfriend, Peter Shoemaker Jr., are charged with criminal homicide in the death of Lisa Nelson’s 63-year-old mother, Sally Nelson.
"Lisa found her in the morning and told me she thought she was dead, and when she realized she wasn't, she called an ambulance to take her to the hospital,” neighbor June Destefino told Channel 11 News.
Police said Sally Nelson was so malnourished that she appeared much older than 63, had pressure wounds and had head lice so severe that her head needed to be shaved. Sally Nelson was flown to a hospital with a head injury in October 2015. She died two weeks later.
In a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 11 News, detectives described the disturbing details of Sally Nelson’s injuries:
"There was evidence of blunt force trauma to the head, neck, trunk and extremities that appeared to be at different stages of healing. This also included multiple and bilateral healing/healed rib fractures."
Jamie Watt, who now lives in the Prospect Street home where Sally Nelson was allegedly abused, said she was shocked to hear about the allegations.
"To treat any parents, mistreat them like that, it's just devastating,” she said.
Lisa Nelson and Shoemaker’s three children also lived inside the home. Detectives said they were first alerted to the case after one of the children told a Children and Youth Services caseworker that Shoemaker killed his grandmother.
According to court documents, when confronted by the child, Shoemaker responded, “You'll understand one day."