Attorney General's News Release

February 21, 2006

Bolivar group home manager pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with death of resident

Bolivar, Mo. — A Buffalo woman who admitted to recklessly causing the death of one of the residents of the Turtle Creek group home in Bolivar pleaded guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in Polk County Circuit Court. The charge against Mary Collura (DOB - 10/25/47), who served as manager of the facility, was prosecuted by Attorney General Jay Nixon in connection with the January 2002 death of resident Gary Oheim, age 40.

Collura admitted she failed to make adequate provision in December 2001 and early January 2002 for the appropriate treatment of decubitis ulcers, also know as bedsores, that Oheim developed. The victim, who was confined to a wheelchair, suffered from cerebral palsy and was physically and mentally handicapped. He was moved into the Turtle Creek facility in February 2001, and later admitted into Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar on Jan. 10, 2002 due to severe ulcers. Oheim died later that month at the hospital.

At her scheduled April 10 sentencing, Collura faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Judge Bill Sims ordered a pre-sentence investigation in the case. In exchange for Collura's plea, the Attorney General's Office dismissed the charge of resident neglect (a class D felony) which relates to the same event as the involuntary manslaughter charge.

Four persons who worked as aides at Turtle Creek Nursing Home previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of elder abuse in the third degree and failure to report abuse/neglect. Charges of resident neglect, a class D felony, are pending against two other aides, Heather Bruce and Karen Burkes. Their cases are pending.

Charges of involuntary manslaughter in the first degree and resident neglect are also pending against Community Alternatives Missouri Inc.(CAMO), which operated Turtle Creek Group Home. The charges against the remaining defendants are merely allegations; as in all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until or unless proven otherwise in a court of law.

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Attorney General's Office has concurrent jurisdiction in prosecuting and investigating cases where the victim is a Medicaid recipient.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

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