'Inhumanely Treated By Her Daughter': Haverford Township Woman Arrested In Death Of 83-Year-Old Mother
MEDIA, Pa. (CBS) -- A Haverford Township woman has been arrested and charged with the death of her 83-year-old mother. Ellyn Gottlieb, 58, allegedly took her mother, Patricia Gottlieb, out of a nursing home, neglected her and drained her bank accounts.
Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland said the victim, who suffered from dementia, was living in deplorable conditions before she died in March. When the elderly woman arrived to the hospital following a fall on Jan 17, 2018, the victim "was found with caked-on feces on her body as well as significant skin breakdown, including numerous sores and stage four ulcers as a result of being left in the same position for long periods of time," according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.
Patricia Gottlieb was removed from the home and died months later at a hospice facility.
"This is a tragic case where a mother was inhumanely treated by her daughter, the very person who was trusted for her care," Copeland said.
According to prosecutors, the mother's nursing home called about a $22,000 debt. Prosecutors say Ellyn Gottlieb had been draining her mother's accounts. Instead of making paying arrangements, she pulled her mother out of the facility, and brought her home, where she allegedly rapidly deteriorated.
Gottlieb gained power of attorney and was siphoning her mother's pension and social security funds, authorities say. She allegedly spent $88,000 on QVC and online purchases.
Copeland added that Gottlieb "showed little regard for human decency."
When investigators first tried to check up on Patricia Gottlieb, it's claimed the daughter blocked them until police intervened.
Ellyn Gottlieb has been charged with manslaughter, neglect and theft. Her bail has been set at $250,000.
CBS3's Joe Holden contributed to this report.
