Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald announces that Rachel Newton, 25, of Laconia, pled guilty on March 13, 2018 in Belknap Superior Court to one class-B felony count of Criminal Neglect of an Elder Adult. Newton was sentenced to serve 12 months at the House of Corrections, followed by 2 years of probation upon her release from incarceration. The Court also recommended that Newton participate in the Community Opportunity for Recovery and Education (CORE) program while incarcerated.

An investigation conducted jointly by the Attorney General's Office, the Laconia Police Department and the Belknap County Sherriff's Department revealed that Rachel Newton was the caregiver for her 88 year old grandmother in 2016. During that time, Newton lived with her grandmother and was responsible for assisting her with eating, taking medication, maintaining personal hygiene, and providing other care as needed. The investigation revealed that in March 2016, Newton neglected her grandmother's care which resulted in serious bodily injury in the form of a stage four ulcer on her sacrum.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder abuse or exploitation, please contact your local police department or the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (1-800-949-0470).