Charges laid over neglect tragedy

THE probe into the death of neglect victim Annie Smith is now concentrating on others involved in the provision of her care following the arrest of her primary carer Rosemary Maione.

Major Crime detectives on Thursday morning detained Rosemary Maione, 68, at her son Vincenco’s home in Hectorville, Adelaide and took her to the watch-house where she was charged with manslaughter.

Detectives also searched those premises and another at Banksia Park for evidence connected to the investigation.

The dramatic development in the case follows a painstaking investigation by a 17-strong Major Crime task force – dubbed Giles – formed to investigate her shocking death.

It has also sparked investigations at a state and federal level into deficiencies in the NDIS program and the supervision of vulnerable individuals.

Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the task-force investigation would now be widened to closely examine the roles of others in the provision of her care. “It will look at the role anyone has played in providing care for Annie or any other criminality that may be exposed,’’ he said.

“If we identify sufficient evidence we will take action at that time. I expect that to be a lengthy investigation in itself.’’

Det. Supt. Bray said the coronial investigation would also continue.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the investigation. The support from the community has been outstanding and has made a big difference to the investigation,’’ he said.

He said while the investigation had been complex, “to actually get to this point as quickly as we did is remarkable for this type of investigation”.

Ms Smith, 54, died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on April 6, the day after Ms Maione called an ambulance to Ms Smith’s Kensington Park home.

Evidence indicates Ms Smith had spent most of the year leading up to her death in an almost sedentary state, living in putrid conditions in a woven cane chair.

When admitted to hospital in a semiconscious state, Ms Smith was suffering septic shock from severe pressure sores, organ failure, extremely poor dental hygiene and malnutrition. She died the next day.