‘It’s all about the money,’ Las Vegas family fights Ohio guardianship

by: Vanessa Murphy

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A Las Vegas family is pushing for their loved one’s Ohio-based guardianship to be terminated. Theresa Ferguson, 91, is a ward in a guardianship, meaning a court-appointed guardian is in control of her body and estate, in Ohio.

Ferguson, who suffers from dementia, has expressed she wants to remain in Las Vegas with her daughter, Carrie Meyer.
 
“Your family is all you got,” Ferguson told the 8 News Now Investigators. “You got family, you got everything.”
 
The family’s fight received nationwide attention after Meyer posted videos on social media. Ferguson, who was a patient at Summerlin Hospital in January, wanted to leave with Carrie Meyer when she was discharged. The video shows hospital staff refusing to let Ferguson leave, with one individual referring to the guardian.
 
Summerlin Hospital appeared to be caught in the middle while following the Ohio court order.
 
The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to the hospital during the family’s fight.
 
“Due to federal patient privacy laws, we cannot comment on specific patients,” spokesperson Gretchen Papez wrote in an email. “However, it is not our policy to refuse to let patients leave. There are times, though, when we are legally obligated to not allow patients to leave the hospital. They could be incarcerated at the time of their hospitalization; a danger to themselves or others; unable to care for themselves; or be involved in a guardianship issue.”
 
The day after the 8 News Now Investigators reached out, Carrie Meyer said Ferguson was allowed to leave the hospital.
 
“The guardianship has been a very, very challenging thing in our life,” Carrie Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators, citing a family conflict as the reason why it began.
 
“Disagreement in family members. That’s usually how it stems, a lot of times money,” she said. “My mom wasn’t extremely wealthy but she did have some money so the root of it is money, to be honest.”
 
In addition to Ferguson’s money being controlled, she was placed in an assisted living facility, where according to Carrie Meyer and her daughter, Chloe, communication was limited.
 
“She doesn’t want to be in a home,” Carrie Meyer said.
 
The Meyers said they brought Ferguson to Las Vegas, which they knew was a risk.
 
“We were at the facility with her and she asked to be rescued and that’s what we did. We rescued her,” Chloe Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators. “We flew her to a safe haven, my mom’s house and she is completely capable of having her voice heard and expressing her wishes, and it’s been a battle, but we’re now to the point where she is here with us and it’s amazing.”
 
The Meyers said they believe the guardianship is draining Ferguson’s funds. Court records refer to social security and two pensions Ferguson receives. In addition to expenses like the facility, the guardian, who is an attorney, bills for fees.

“It’s all about the money, God damn money,” Ferguson said.
 
“She feeds herself. She bathes herself,” Carrie Meyer told the 8 News Now Investigators. “At 91, a little bit of dementia shouldn’t keep your family from living where they want to live. It’s her life.”
 
There are options for individuals like Ferguson that are not as extreme as guardianships, according to Debra Bookout, the directing attorney for the Guardianship Advocacy Project at Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
 
“Think about not being able to make your own decisions. That’s a pretty big loss,” Bookout said.
 
Estate planning documents are vital, according to Bookout. A judge can honor an individual’s wishes, which could help prevent a family conflict regarding the individual’s care and finances.
 
“A happy middle ground would be we recognize you are declining, loved one, and you have wishes that should be honored, maybe an estate planning consult with an estate planning attorney is a great idea at this point,” Bookout said.
 
The state of Nevada strengthened its oversight of guardianships after systemic issues were discovered. In some cases, individuals were criminally charged.
 
The state now requires representation for wards. In Clark County, Bookout and her team represent the wards.
 
“We appear in court on behalf of that person and advocate for their wishes,” Bookout said.
 
The Meyers are asking an Ohio court to terminate Ferguson’s guardianship.
 
The guardian, attorney Justine Winger, filed a motion to withdraw as the guardian of Ferguson as a person, stating Ferguson’s family is making it difficult for her to do her job.
 
Winger also agrees to remain guardian of Ferguson’s estate “until another suitable person applies and is appointed as such in either Ohio (where the ward’s assets lie) or Nevada (where the ward is currently being housed),” according to the motion.
 
The 8 News Now Investigators’ attempts to reach Winger were unsuccessful. 
 
A hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 20.

Full Article & Source:
‘It’s all about the money,’ Las Vegas family fights Ohio guardianship

York County Couple — Exercising Power of Attorney and Primary Caregiving Responsibilities — Charged with Neglect, Financial Exploitation of Elderly Woman

February 14, 2025 | Topic: Criminal

Victim was found alone, soiled, behind a dog gate in basement of her home

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a York County husband and wife have been charged with abandoning a care-dependent woman — the wife’s mother — in a basement, while the couple went on vacation.

Ashlee Brady and Brian Brady, each 32, of Hanover, are also charged with using the woman’s finances for their own personal expenses, including vacations and alcohol.

Ashlee was her mother’s power of attorney; Brian was the victim’s caregiver and was reimbursed with Medicaid funds through his employer.

Both are charged with financial exploitation of an older adult/care-dependent person, theft by deception, neglect of a care-dependent person, and conspiracy counts to commit all of the above listed crimes. Ashlee Brady is also charged with perjury and two counts of intimidation of a witness and Brian Brady is charged with four counts of Medicaid fraud.

“These alleged acts are truly disturbing on many levels — as these defendants were not only family, her own daughter and son-in-law, they were paid to look out for this victim’s best interests,” Attorney General Sunday said. “I commend the investigators who uncovered this cycle of abusive and exploitative conduct. My office will continue to stand up for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents.”

In February 2024, the victim was found, alone, locked in the basement of her home. She was soiled and penned into a corner with a dog gate. She had been left with hot dogs and two cups of water. Emergency Medical Services found the victim after a relative called them for assistance.

An investigation determined that the defendants left the victim in the basement and took an overnight trip with their children. Further investigation uncovered alleged financial exploitation, as the defendants used more than $10,000 of the victim’s money on vacations, alcohol, and other activities not related to her care or upkeep.

Also, Brian allegedly submitted hours to his employer, for reimbursement from Medicaid, for services he did not provide the victim. Investigators determined that Ashlee Brady lied under oath about the abandonment incident, saying she made arrangements for a family member to watch the victim.

The Brady’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 27.

This case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Christopher R. Sherwood. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Pennsylvania Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $12,839,940 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2025. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $4,279,979 for FY 2025, is funded by Pennsylvania.

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York County Couple — Exercising Power of Attorney and Primary Caregiving Responsibilities — Charged with Neglect, Financial Exploitation of Elderly Woman

TMZ: Wendy Williams 'locked up in a room', dementia diagnosis in question

By Madi Marks

The Brief

• • Wendy Williams has been confined to a room in an assisted living facility and has only been allowed outside twice in 30 days, according to TMZ.
  • Harvey Levin claims Williams may have been misdiagnosed with dementia and has improved since becoming sober.
  • Despite her reported progress, her guardian has refused to release her.

A source told FOX 4 News that Wendy Williams has been confined to a room and has only been allowed outside twice in the past 30 days due to her guardianship.

TMZ’s Harvey Levin believes Williams was misdiagnosed and has improved since becoming sober.

What we know:

Levin recently interviewed Williams from the street, claiming she is locked in a room at an assisted living facility in New York with no internet access. He said she is rarely allowed visitors and has only been outside twice in the past month.

"She rightly feels like a prisoner," Levin said.

According to Levin, Williams is back to her old self, but her guardian refuses to release her.

Wendy Williams’ Conservatorship

Williams was placed under guardianship a few years ago following struggles with alcohol.

Levin described the arrangement as one where she has been "locked up and the key thrown away."

Frontotemporal Dementia

Williams was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2023. This disease causes behavioral and personality deterioration, eventually leading to difficulty speaking and understanding others, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

There is no cure or specific treatment for frontotemporal dementia, and the condition progressively worsens. Over time, most people with the disease develop muscle weakness and coordination problems, making them unable to leave their beds.

Actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2022.

Alcohol-Induced Dementia

A similar condition, alcohol-induced dementia, differs in that it can sometimes be reversed with treatment.

Symptoms of alcohol-related dementia include memory loss and difficulty with daily tasks caused by excessive alcohol consumption over time. However, the Alzheimer’s Association notes that the condition does not necessarily worsen. With proper treatment, a person’s condition can improve.

If someone stops drinking alcohol and maintains a balanced diet, their cognitive function may recover. Initial alcohol withdrawal can cause delirium, confusion, and distraction.

Williams has been sober.

Where is Wendy Williams Now?

Wendy Williams is in an assisted living home in New York.

Wendy Williams Update

What's next:

Williams’ guardian has said she will undergo further evaluation but does not expect her diagnosis to change.

Levin has questioned how the guardian could be certain without input from a specialist. He claims to have spoken with Williams for hours over the past month and believes she continues to improve.

What you can do:

TMZ’s special documentary on Williams’ situation, Saving Wendy, is available for free on Tubi.

Full Article & Source:
TMZ: Wendy Williams 'locked up in a room', dementia diagnosis in question

See Also:
FIGHT FOR FREEDOM Wendy Williams’ lawyer to ‘file petition to terminate guardianship’ after struggling star claims she’s ‘in a prison’

Wendy Williams Dementia Denial Pushes Legal Guardian To Order A New Medical Evaluation

Judge allows Wendy Williams to fly to Miami to celebrate her father’s 94th birthday amid guardianship battle

Why Wendy Williams Reportedly Fired Attorney Amid #FreeWendy Battle

Britney Spears Steps in to Help Wendy Williams Get Out of 'Abusive' Conservatorship

Wendy Williams

Three Years After Britney, Wendy Williams Shows Celebrity Conservatorships May Still Be Toxic to Women

Senator Palumbo and Families Push for Guardianship Reform Urge Passage of Karilyn’s Law in 2025

Former nursing home worker sentenced to jail for elder abuse; cases continue for two other suspects

A former Guthrie nursing home employee has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy and elder abuse following a disturbing investigation into misconduct at Golden Age Nursing Home.

Jade Williams, 22, was sentenced Tuesday after a Guthrie detective, Williams, and her mother provided testimony in court. Williams, who showed emotion while reading from a prepared statement, received two 10-year sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC).

The first charge includes eight years suspended, meaning she could serve up to two years behind bars. Then she will begin serving 8.5 mandatory years on the second charge which is required (85% crime) of her sentence before being eligible for release.

Williams was arrested in July along with Aubrey Granata, 22, and McKenzie Bolfa, 21, following a two-month investigation by the Guthrie Police Department. The investigation began after a former nursing home employee came forward with disturbing allegations against their co-workers.

Court documents reveal that Williams, Granata, and Bolfa exchanged Snapchat videos and photos showing residents in degrading and inhumane conditions. One video depicted an elderly resident lying on a bed wearing only a shirt and a diaper, with fecal matter on the sheets and socks. Another video showed a male resident lying nude from the waist down. Additionally, photos surfaced of deceased residents being mocked by the workers.

“It’s probably one of the saddest things,” Guthrie Police Chief Don Sweger said in a previous interview. “We take service to everybody very responsibly, but especially for those who don’t have a voice for themselves.”

As part of her sentencing, Williams must complete a drug offender work camp while in DOC custody, undergo drug and alcohol evaluations and follow all recommendations, submit to random drug testing, undergo a mental health evaluation and follow all recommendations, obtain employment or enroll in school, complete 300 hours of community service upon release, address fines and court costs within 180 days of release.

Meanwhile, Granata and Bolfa have pleaded not guilty in their cases and are expected back in court in March.

Golden Age director, Tandie Hastings, issued a statement, last year, in response to the allegations: “Golden Age Nursing Home endeavors to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Upon receiving information related to certain allegations against its employees, the facility began working with local law enforcement and other appropriate authorities to respond. The employees involved had cleared background checks, were educated related to resident’s rights/safety, and have been terminated from employment. We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of the residents and families involved and will continue to keep them updated with any developments related to this matter.”

The accused, 22-year-old Aubrey Granata, 22-year-old Jade Williams, and 21-year-old McKenzie Bolfa, are now facing serious charges of elderly abuse.

Full Article & Source:
Former nursing home worker sentenced to jail for elder abuse; cases continue for two other suspects

Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project: Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Year in Review and a Look Ahead

As noted in the main article, MGDP is very proud of the impact seen in Bay County.  Bay County Probate Court has particularly embraced the goals of the MGDP by referring prospective petitioners to the project before they file for guardianship and allowing time in pending cases for consideration of less restrictive alternatives. Some service providers in Bay County, including nursing homes and attorneys, have also sought the project’s assistance in working with individuals at risk of guardianship.  Project staff have assisted dozens of Bay County residents in understanding legal rights and requirements, considering options, and obtaining services.  In part due to MGDP, guardianship and conservatorship cases have been reduced by approximately 42%. Last month, the Bay County Probate Register wrote to MGDP staff: “I cannot express enough how much the program has benefited the citizens of Bay County!  The program works!”

In Bay County, having MGDP staff physically present in the county, well-connected to the court and community resources, and available for in-person meetings and court visits has been extremely helpful. In addition, the Court’s enthusiasm for the project has been essential to its success. In all the counties, MGDP has been successful educating individuals about alternatives and dispelling myths about when guardianship is appropriate or necessary. 

In one case, an older gentleman with mental and physical health challenges who used a motorized scooter for mobility was facing both eviction from his apartment and a potential guardianship.  By working with the individual and his sister and collaborating with Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, MGDP was able to help the gentleman avoid guardianship and eviction, obtain services, and execute a power of attorney.  As a result, the individual maintained his autonomy, was able to remain living in the community, had a trusted person empowered to make decisions for him if he became unable to make them himself, and had access to both community-based and legal services to assist him in the future. At the same time, the court was spared the burden of another case on its guardianship docket.

MGDP has, however, worked on a number of cases in which individuals with complex needs could utilize less restrictive alternatives but require extensive case management services to ensure they can benefit from available resources.  In the absence of programs and services that provide that extensive support and coordination for weeks or months—a service MGDP is unable to provide—the individual remains at high risk of guardianship.

Project staff are eager to assist in more cases and continue to actively participate in local multi-disciplinary teams, provide training, reach out to entities that frequently file for guardianship such as APS, and keep in touch with the probate courts.  We are also exploring various strategies to increase referrals.

Source:
Michigan Guardianship Diversion Project: Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Programs fight financial exploitation of senior citizens

by VICTORIA WITKE

This graphic shows that the number of cases referred to Michigan’s Adult Protective Services has risen substantially in recent years. (Graphic information courtesy of Michigan Department of Health & Human Services)

ISHPEMING — Recently, a man and woman were charged with financially exploiting an 87-year-old Rochester Hills man by fraudulently gaining his legal power of attorney.

Kirk Lanam of Hartland is accused by the state Attorney General’s Office of embezzling over $400,000 for himself and his nonprofit, while Shelley Letzer of West Bloomfield allegedly stole thousands by, among other means, writing herself checks. Both were arraigned in an Oakland County district court.

About two out of three older adults report someone attempting to scam them and are uncertain about their ability to identify fraud schemes, according to the Michigan Poll on Healthy Aging from the University of Michigan.

Michigan is a leading state in the number of residents 65 years and older, said Cynthia Farrell, the division director of adult services in the Department of Health & Human Services.

Referrals to Adult Protective Services have steadily increased since 2000, and there were over 4,000 financial exploitation referrals in the 2024 fiscal year.

A new Michigan State University study done in rural communities shows preventative training empowers family caregivers, service professionals and seniors to report and prevent financial exploitation of older adults with cognitive decline.

The study by social work professor Fei Sun divided participants into two test groups in Otsego, Crawford, Marquette and Alpena counties.

In the first and most effective test, caregivers and their elderly relatives were educated on financial abuse.

Then, caseworkers from the community, trained by the researchers, followed up with home and virtual visits to identify risks, goals and strategies to reduce fraud.

In the comparison group, family members and vulnerable seniors received one group lesson on exploitation at community centers.

Sun then surveyed the participants six and nine months later to test the program’s effectiveness.

Sun said even if communities lack the resources for caseworkers, the study shows that “simple community-based education, even just the one time, could be beneficial in raising people’s awareness and preventing financial abuse and fraud.”

Annie Hepburn is the director of the Alpena Senior Citizens Center and a participant in the study. Through a home visit, she found one of the center’s seniors was a victim of financial exploitation.

“Moving forward, I worked with him on plans on what would be real and what isn’t real,” Hepburn said. “You can’t just trust everybody. If people are requesting money, that is a red flag.”

Hepburn said every day the center has members saying they were caught in scams, but the program through Sun’s study has strengthened the trust between seniors and caseworkers.

Even after the study, the seniors ask for more programs and still reach out to staff with questions, she said.

“I’m very excited to know that they are confident enough to come to us,” Hepburn said.

The study’s training curriculum was based on a course by Peter Lichtenberg, a national expert on financial capacity assessment and financial exploitation of older adults.

Lichtenburg, the past director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University, said most agencies and organizations in the state, including Adult Protective Services, use his scale.

The first two chapters of Lichtenberg’s course are about assessing financial decision-making and patterns of exploitation. They break down how exploitation happens and include a vulnerability survey so seniors can recognize their risks.

According to Farrell, the director of adult services, a major risk factor for older rural Michigan residents is isolation because seniors have less access to resources in those communities and relatives often move away.

Lichtenberg said, “One of the things that happen with isolation is you tend to speed up your judgment and decision making and tend to be very receptive to anybody who is good at knowing how to present themselves as similar to you, having the same values, having the same beliefs you have.”

Farrell said scammers pretend to be lottery officials, romantic interests or grandchildren.

Schemes can pretend to fix fake bugs on computers, which she said are often seniors’ “ability to talk to other people and connect with the outside world if they are isolated.”

“We try to educate the public about those things,” Farrell said, “especially our seniors, who are usually the ones who have the cash, the assets that can be exploited.”

Free online resources for seniors, caregivers and professionals based on Lichtenberg’s course are provided at www.olderadultnestegg.com.

Full Article & Source:
Programs fight financial exploitation of senior citizens

Morgan Stanley Ordered to Pay $843,000 in Elder Fraud Case

by Karmen Alexander

Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages to a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, in a case that highlights potential risks for firms when clients fall victim to scams. 

Marjorie Kessler, a septuagenarian, alleged the firm was negligent in failing to prevent financial exploitation after she lost nearly $1.75 million to fraudsters posing as government officials, according to a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration award on Monday and a copy of her complaint. 

Scammers convinced Kessler that her identity had been stolen and she needed to convert her assets to cash, gold and cryptocurrency that would be deposited into a U.S. Treasury account for safe keeping, according to the complaint. In July and August 2023, she withdrew the funds from her Morgan Stanley account in two large transfers. 

Kessler alleged that Morgan Stanley should have investigated her “uncharacteristic” requests to withdraw the money and also that it failed to take “reasonable” steps to ensure she had established a trusted contact for her account as required by Finra rules.  

The panel, including three public arbitrators, appeared convinced that Morgan Stanley did not take sufficient steps to investigate the second large withdrawal or put in place a trusted contact, according to Kessler’s lawyer, Lloyd R. Schwed of Schwed Kahle & Kress in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. They deducted the first transfer amount from Kessler’s $1.75 million damage request because they concluded Morgan Stanley did not have enough evidence to investigate, Schwed said. 

“I am very grateful to the arbitrators for understanding how vulnerable senior investors are to tech support and government impersonation scams,” Schwed said. 

Morgan Stanley in a counterclaim said it had acted prudently given the circumstances. Kessler, who had shown no indications of cognitive impairment, made misstatements to her advisor about the purpose of the withdrawals, including saying that she was helping her daughter purchase a home. 

The funds were also transferred to a bank account in Kessler’s name at Wells Fargo and from there diverted to the scammers. 

A spokesperson for Morgan Stanley expressed sympathy for Kessler and noted that it “is important to keep in mind that this fraud did not occur at Morgan Stanley.”

“Further, the Firm should not be held responsible for her losses as Ms. Kessler made misstatements to her Financial Advisor about the purpose of the transfers, and authorized them to be sent to a third-party bank account held in her name,” the spokesperson said in a statement. 

Elder fraud is a major concern for advisors and their clients as well as firms and regulators, including Finra which has been expanding options for firms to freeze funds and take other measures in cases of suspected abuse. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said that in 2023 it received complaints representing $3.4 billion in losses reported by those over age 60 who claimed they had fallen victim to scams. Those over 60 lost more than all other age groups combined, according to its most recent elder fraud report.

Full Article & Source:
Morgan Stanley Ordered to Pay $843,000 in Elder Fraud Case

MTV VJ Matt Pinfield’s Family in Battle Over His Conservatorship Following Stroke

 by Martin Holmes

The family of radio host and former MTV VJ Matt Pinfield is currently embroiled in a legal battle over his conservatorship, relating to a massive stroke the star suffered in January. 

As reported by People, court documents show that Matt’s 38-year-old daughter, Jessica Pinfield, has filed for conservatorship of her 63-year-old father after a stroke left him hospitalized last month.

However, Matt’s girlfriend, Kara Brown, and his brother, Glenn Pinfield, have opposed the conservatorship, alleging that Jessica is attempting to isolate Matt from the rest of his family.

According to the opposition filing, which was filed to a Superior Court in Los Angeles on Friday (February 7), Brown and Glenn have asked a Los Angeles County judge to deny Jessica’s petition for conservatorship, which was filed soon after Matt was admitted to hospital on January 6.

In the original filing, Jessica expressed concern that Brown had taken control of Matt’s bank accounts and apartment and, therefore, wanted to file for conservatorship to protect his property and money. She also claimed her father was “incompetent to make decisions” due to his current health conditions.

Brown and Glenn dispute these allegations, noting that Brown, who has been dating Matt for three years, had been by his side since the day he was taken to hospital after the stroke. Brown claimed in the filing that Matt had been “lucid and engaged — both with me and with hospital staff” when he designated her as his emergency contact and personal representative.

“I spent most of my time during the first week of Matt’s hospitalization at his bedside. At that time, he was talking to me in full sentences,” Brown stated, per People. “His doctor went over his MRI with me in detail and we were encouraged at that time that Matt would make a full recovery. I was led to believe he would be discharged within a few weeks.”

She went on to say that when Jessica visited the hospital on January 14, she “unprompted, accused me of being on drugs and blaming me for Matt’s stroke.”

“These accusations are untrue,” Brown added. “I felt it was Jessica’s intention here to destroy my credibility with the hospital staff. Rather than argue, I left the hospital in deference to Jessica.” When she returned to the hospital two days later, she was told her visitation rights had been rescinded but “was not told why.”

“This was heartbreaking for me and made worse by the lack of available, reliable information about Matt’s condition,” she continued. “I was told he had contracted MRSA/pneumonia, which had become life threatening and that he did not have a ‘massive’ stroke as Jessica claimed. This conflicting information has left me very confused.”

Glenn added that Jessica’s filing for conservatorship came as a shock to the entire family. He and Brown have asked the judge to either deny her request for full conservatorship or provide more time for the family to make a decision on the best arrangement moving forward.

Matt first entered the spotlight in 1992 when he appeared on an episode of MTV’s reality show The Real World. He’d go on to host MTV’s 120 Minutes in 1995, beginning a career of hosting various shows for the network, including MattRock, Pinfield Suite, Pinfield Presents, Say What?, Rocks Off, and MTV Live.

He later went on to DJ for SiriusXM and most recently became the afternoon drive-time host for KCSN, a AAA-format public radio station based in Los Angeles.

Full Article & Source:
MTV VJ Matt Pinfield’s Family in Battle Over His Conservatorship Following Stroke

2 charged with elder abuse in dementia patient's death in Santa Cruz County

Source:
2 charged with elder abuse in dementia patient's death in Santa Cruz County