Caretakers Sentenced To Prison In Man's 2015 Starvation Death
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Two people who pleaded guilty to third-degree murder charges in connection with the death of a man in their care appeared in court for sentencing on Wednesday afternoon.
Adam Haynes, 49, and his wife, Pamela McNeal, 59, were charged in the 2015 death of 54-year-old David Fuhrman.
Today, they were sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison.
Police said Haynes and McNeal were supposed to be caring for Fuhrman, but failed to get medical help for him.
Court documents indicate Fuhrman, who reportedly functioned as a 5-year-old, had been in the couple's care for about 15 years. He had not received medical care for over a year despite his declining condition.
At the sentencing, Haynes said, "I just wish I could have done more. I'm sorry."
McNeal added, "I just wish I would have asked for more help. Just wish I would have done more."
Police say they found Fuhrman dead in his bed in a Penn Hills home in November of 2015. He was severely malnourished, only weighing 76 pounds, with multiple sores and wounds on his back and elbows. He died from sepsis, pneumonia and severe malnutrition.
In a tearful statement to the court, Furhman's sister, Barbara LaFace said the couple, "Didn't respond to his cries for help or food or water. I pray that they are haunted by my brother's cries."
McNeal will serve her time in a personal care home due to her own declining health.
Both could have been sentenced up to 20 years in prison.
