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Williamsburg woman charged in mother’s death

Sayegh allegedly neglected victim in her care

Sayegh

A Williamsburg woman faces charges after a yearslong investigation into the death of her mother, who was in her care.

Colleen Rose Sayegh, 37, was arraigned Wednesday by Magisterial District Judge Paula M. Aigner on single felony counts of neglect of a care dependent person and aggravated assault, as well as single misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and simple assault. In lieu of 10% of $100,000 bail, she was remanded to the Blair County Prison.

Police were first contacted by hospital staff in July 2022, when the victim was taken to Conemaugh Nason Medical Center for treatment. Hospital staff told officers the victim was suffering from severe dehydration, had extremely low blood pressure, was covered in urine and feces and had several open wounds and sores, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

The victim, who was wheelchair-bound, also showed signs of a recent stroke and had to be flown to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown. Officers were later informed that the victim had died at the hospital, WJAC reported.

Before the victim passed away, officers searched her Woodbury Township residence and found it in deplorable conditions. Officers noted smelling a foul odor and that the home was littered with feces, the police report showed.

Officers spoke with Sayegh, the victim’s daughter, while at the residence, and it was confirmed that the victim suffered a stroke about one year prior, in 2021. Sayegh also said the victim was in her care after spending a short amount of time in a nursing home but had “taken a turn for the worse” and was unable to fully communicate with her, court documents state.

Sayegh admitted to officers that she had not bathed the victim in “months” and said it had been over a year since the victim had seen a doctor. An autopsy report later showed the victim died from a severe infection caused by the multiple sores and wounds hospital staff found on her body. The victim was also reported to be diabetic, making her more susceptible to infections, according to the affidavit.

Sayegh is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in front of Aigner on Jan. 21.

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