Woman, 62, Sentenced To 15 Years For Neglect Of Disabled Sister That Ended In Sibling's Death

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com)  —  Authorities said Friday that a 62-year-old woman was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for murdering her disabled sister.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney announced this past July that Amy Sam Ho was found guilty of second-degree murder and dependent adult abuse resulting in death.

Deputy D.A. Tina Hooks of the Elder Abuse Section prosecuted the case. At trial, Hooks said, the defendant brought her 60-year-old sister Cora Sam to a hospital ER in Montebello on October 10, 2011.

Sam appeared lifeless and in a state of rigor mortis, the prosecutor said. After medical staff tended to her, the victim was declared dead.

Upon examination after her death, doctors said Sam had several large sores and only weighed 66 pounds. She died of sepsis because of the infected sores, the D.A. said.

The defendant was her disabled sister's full-time caregiver.

During an investigation, detectives learned that Ho stopped taking her sister to the doctor for approximately one year and failed to seek medical treatment allowing the sores became progressively worse.