Danieal Kelly Starved to Death with Maggot-Infested Wounds; Social Workers Convicted in Fraud Case
Photo: Danieal Kelly, 14, starved to death in August, 2006.
A federal jury in Philadelphia returned the verdicts Wednesday afternoon in the trial involving now-defunct MultiEthnic Behavioral Health Inc.
Company co-founders Mickal Kamuvaka, 60, and Solomon Manamela, 52, and former caseworkers Julius Juma Murray, 52, and Miriam Coulebaly, 41, were all convicted of conspiracy, lying to federal agents and multiple counts of health care fraud and wire fraud.
Prosecutors say the company defrauded the city of millions of dollars by not visiting needy families - then covering it up with false paperwork.
14-year-old Kelly, who had cerebral palsy, weighed less than half her expected weight when she was found dead in 2006, an expert witness for the prosecution testified. Officials also said she suffered from maggot-infested bedsores when she died.
"Danieal Kelly paid the ultimate price for these defendants' fraud, and we hope that this is some measure of justice for her and the other children who were the victims, really, of this fraud," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben said.
Kelly's mother is already in prison after previously pleading guilty to third-degree murder.
MORE ON CRIMESIDER
February 3, 2010 - Danieal Kelly, 14, Starved to Death with Maggot-Infested Wounds; Pa. Social Workers on Trial