Former caretaker sentenced to 30 years after Ankeny man dies in squalor, neglect

by William Morris

Key Points 

• Diana Lynn Becker-Abeyta, 63, was sentenced to 30 years in prison in the death of 73-year-old Ray Crammond, for whom she was a caretaker.
• Becker-Abeyta pleaded guilty to dependent adult abuse and financial exploitation, and entered an Alford plea to involuntary manslaughter.
• Crammond was found malnourished, neglected, and suffering from bedsores, ultimately dying from pneumonia caused by an infection.

An Ankeny woman accused of fatally neglecting an elderly man while using his Social Security benefits for herself has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Diana Lynn Becker-Abeyta, 63, was a paid live-in caretaker for 73-year-old Ray Crammond until his death in April 2023. Summoned to Crammond's home, first responders found him malnourished, dirty and neglected, with numerous bed sores, and learned Becker-Abeyta, who was not licensed as a caregiver, had not been giving him his prescribed medications, prosecutors alleged.

Taken to a hospital, Crammond died several days later of pneumonia that investigators determined was caused by an infection. A medical examiner classified his death as a homicide.

Becker-Abeyta pleaded guilty to dependent adult abuse-financial exploitation, admitting she'd taken some of Crammond's federal benefit money. She separately entered an Alford plea to a count of involuntary manslaughter, maintaining she was innocent but acknowledging the strong evidence against her.

Judge calls case 'horrific'

On Thursday, May 29, she was sentenced to consecutive 15-year terms for each offense. Because Becker-Abeyta also admitted to being a habitual offender due to prior felony drug and fraud convictions, she must serve at least six years before she is eligible for probation. In addition, she must pay $150,000 in restitution to Crammond's heirs, as required by Iowa law.

Judge Paul Scott called the case "horrific," according to a news release from the Polk County Attorney's Office, saying that "the degradation of human body to the extent shown in the photos doesn’t happen overnight.”

Becker-Abeyta apologized at the hearing, calling Crammond a "wonderful man" and saying, "I didn’t do any of this intentionally. … I was in over my head,” according to the news release.

Her attorneys had asked the court to sentence her to probation. 

Full Article & Source:
Former caretaker sentenced to 30 years after Ankeny man dies in squalor, neglect 

See Also:
Ankeny woman charged with murder in death of 73-year-old, bedridden man