Tenn. woman indicted in death of son with Down syndrome

SPARTA, Tenn. (WVLT/WTVF) -- A Tennessee woman was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in the death of her adult son with special needs.

Betty Ann Stafford is accused of neglecting and mistreating her 42-year-old son with Down syndrome, according to White County District Attorney Bryant Dunaway.

Officials said Mark Stafford weighed only 54 pounds when he died. According to an autopsy, his death was caused by severe malnutrition and sepsis caused by severe sores on his body.

Stafford was arrested on Friday and booked into the White County Jail. A grand jury indicted her on additional charges including aggravated neglect of vulnerable adult and first-degree felony murder.

Investigators said Stafford was reportedly the caretaker of older, elder and vulnerable adults. Police are investigating other potential victims.