Three individuals have been charged in connection with the death of an elderly woman who was found in extreme conditions in her Massachusetts home. The accused include Eva Fontes Cardoso, 53, her daughter, Kayla Cardoso, 31, her granddaughter, and Lisa Hamilton, 64, a registered nurse. They face multiple charges, including manslaughter, caregiver neglect of an elder, larceny, and Medicaid fraud, following the death of 79-year-old Dinora Cardoso.
The case came to light on May 17, 2023, when Eva Cardoso called 911, reporting that her mother needed emergency medical help. First responders arrived to find Dinora Cardoso in appalling conditions in her senior housing apartment. She was discovered stuck to a mattress that was infested with cockroaches, bedbugs, and feces. The conditions were so severe that emergency personnel were unable to separate her from the bed, necessitating that both she and the mattress be transported to the hospital.
The hospital staff later confirmed that Dinora Cardoso’s skin had become encrusted, and she had developed infected ulcers, which led to necrotizing fasciitis and sepsis. She died two days later from the severe infections. Authorities believe the insect infestation and poor living conditions had been present for at least several weeks before the 911 call, contributing significantly to her health decline.
The three accused individuals allegedly played key roles in Dinora Cardoso’s neglect. Eva Cardoso had been hired as her mother’s personal care attendant (PCA), while her granddaughter, Kayla, served as both a healthcare proxy and PCA Program Surrogate. Lisa Hamilton, a registered nurse, had conducted visits to the home to assess the victim’s care. Despite the dire condition in which Dinora Cardoso was found, Hamilton’s report, issued just a week before the 911 call, stated that the elderly woman had been “clean, well cared for, alert, and that her diabetes was well-controlled.” Hamilton made no mention of any ulcers, feces, or insect infestations, which contradicted both the findings of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and hospital records, which indicated severe neglect and poor health management.
Prosecutors allege that the accused women falsified records and billed MassHealth for services that were not provided, including during the time Dinora Cardoso was hospitalized and after her death. Investigators found that Eva Cardoso had been receiving payments from MassHealth totaling over $140,000 for her alleged care of her mother. Bank records also indicated that she regularly transferred portions of her PCA payments to Kayla Cardoso.
The charges against the three individuals highlight the seriousness of the alleged abuse and financial exploitation. Eva and Kayla Cardoso, along with Lisa Hamilton, are accused not only of causing Dinora Cardoso’s death through neglect but also of taking advantage of the system designed to support the elderly and vulnerable.
The case is scheduled for a court hearing on January 15, 2025. If convicted, the defendants could face significant legal consequences for their roles in the tragic death of Dinora Cardoso. The investigation into their actions continues to reveal a pattern of deceit and neglect that ultimately led to the elderly woman’s untimely death.
