A man from Schuylkill County learned how much time he will spend behind bars after admitting his neglect helped kill the woman he called his mom.
Prosecutors said Art Deiter allowed Joanne Weider, 69, to live in her own waste and refused to get her medical care.
"She did rot in her own waste and if you look at the pictures, they were deplorable and there was testimony that there was a son who used to go and see her and he wouldn't let the son come and see her," said District Attorney Jim Goodman.
"It's very painful to actually talk about that," Deiter said. I told her more than once or twice to please go to the hospital and she kept ignoring me. I just should have had her taken to the hospital."
Deiter's friends showed up to hear his punishment.
"I don't believe he did it but he admitted to it. I don't know much about that. It's just a shock to me and stuff," said friend Rosemary Zweicig.
The judge decided Deiter will spend at least a year in state prison for involuntary manslaughter.
"The way I see it, I am very lucky and I am only getting a year. I could have gotten a lot longer," said Deiter.
"This should send a message to the elderly to be aware of their circumstances and to those who care for the elderly they must provide the necessary care," Goodman added.
Deiter was told to report to begin his jail sentence next week.
Prosecutors said Art Deiter allowed Joanne Weider, 69, to live in her own waste and refused to get her medical care.
"She did rot in her own waste and if you look at the pictures, they were deplorable and there was testimony that there was a son who used to go and see her and he wouldn't let the son come and see her," said District Attorney Jim Goodman.
"It's very painful to actually talk about that," Deiter said. I told her more than once or twice to please go to the hospital and she kept ignoring me. I just should have had her taken to the hospital."
Deiter's friends showed up to hear his punishment.
"I don't believe he did it but he admitted to it. I don't know much about that. It's just a shock to me and stuff," said friend Rosemary Zweicig.
The judge decided Deiter will spend at least a year in state prison for involuntary manslaughter.
"The way I see it, I am very lucky and I am only getting a year. I could have gotten a lot longer," said Deiter.
"This should send a message to the elderly to be aware of their circumstances and to those who care for the elderly they must provide the necessary care," Goodman added.
Deiter was told to report to begin his jail sentence next week.
