Fayette Co. couple charged in death of mother; elder abuse alleged
CONNELLSVILLE (AP) – A Pennsylvania man and woman were charged in the death of the woman’s mother, who authorities allege was abused, malnourished and beaten with a table leg.
Thirty-four-year-old Peter Shoemaker Jr. and 33-year-old Lisa Nelson are charged in Fayette County with criminal homicide, conspiracy, aggravated and simple assault and reckless endangering.
Authorities said 63-year-old Sally Nelson, who lived with the couple and their three children, suffered a head injury in October and was found unresponsive the following day. She died in November at UPMC Mercy. Authorities had said an autopsy found signs of abuse.
Court documents didn’t list an attorney for Shoemaker, and a number listed in his name was no longer in service. Nelson was listed as represented by the county public defender’s office, which couldn’t be reached Saturday.