Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced the sentencing of two Philadelphia direct care workers, Rashina Long and Jasmine Long, for neglecting a quadriplegic relative. The neglect led to the victim's hospitalization in critical condition.
The mother and sister of the victim pleaded guilty in September to charges of neglect of a care-dependent person and Medicaid fraud. On Thursday, both were sentenced to two to four years in prison followed by seven years of probation. They are barred from working as care workers during their sentence.
Rashina Long, 48, and Jasmine Long, 33, were responsible for assisting the man with daily tasks such as bathing and meal preparation. Their negligence resulted in his hospitalization in October 2022.
Attorney General Henry commented on the case: “The egregious conduct here by two trusted caregivers is compounded by the fact that they are relatives of the man they neglected,” adding that her office will not tolerate such behavior.
An investigation revealed that services allegedly provided by the defendants between December 2021 and September 2022 cost Medicaid over $140,000. During his hospital stay, doctors found severe pressure wounds on the victim due to improper repositioning, along with signs of malnutrition and dehydration. He required several medical procedures including a blood transfusion and ventilator support.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Benjamin McKenna prosecuted this case.