Man Charged with Neglecting his 96-Year-Old Mother to Death Will Face Trial
HARRISBURG — Following the arrest last month of a Berks County man on homicide charges for failing to provide necessary care and medication to his 96-year-old mother, who died as a result, Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced the defendant waived his preliminary hearing and will face trial.
“This is a horrific case where a man essentially neglected his mother to death,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “Our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Neglect Team works every day to protect seniors and vulnerable citizens. We’re using every resource at our disposal to protect care-dependent Pennsylvanians.”
Anton Bodanza, 69, of Saddlebrook Drive, Wernersville is charged with criminal homicide following the death of his mother, Sarafina Bodanza. As his mother’s primary caregiver from October 10, 2016 through June 15, 2017, Bodanza was required to administer life-sustaining medication to his mother on a regular basis. Bodanza did not administer the required medication, leading to his mother’s premature death last June.
Attorney General Josh Shapiro credits strong law enforcement collaboration with the arrest. “I’d like to thank the Lower Heidelberg Township Police Department and the Berks County Area Agency on Aging for their help with this tragic case.”
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Nathan Giunta and Deputy Attorney General Chris Jason of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Neglect Team.
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