17-Count Indictment Handed Up in the Case of the Death of Tara O’Leary

October 30, 2009

Contact: Layli Whyte / (732) 933-1591
District 12

The 12th District Legislators would like to announce the indictments of two caretakers in the case of Tara O’Leary, a developmentally disabled woman who was neglected so severely in a sponsor home that it lead to her death. Tara’s tragic death inspired the creation of “Tara’s Law” which seeks to protect the developmentally disabled living in sponsor homes.

“This is a validation of the work we have done to get to the bottom of what really happened to Tara,” said Senator Jennifer Beck. “Tara’s Law is the first step in working to increase the protections of our most vulnerable citizens, and as this court case continues, we will find out what other changes need to be made in the system. Tara’s death is an unspeakable tragedy, and we will continue to make sure it never happens again.”

Tara O’Leary was born with multiple disabilities and spent the last ten years of her life in the Bloomsbury sponsor home in the care of Debra Sloan. She died last November at the age of 29 and weighing 43 pounds. In the months leading up to Tara’s death, her cousin, Eileen Devlin, a Little Silver resident, reached out to the 12th District Office for help, because she was sure Tara was being mistreated.

“This is the first step in bringing justice to Tara,” said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, “and to making sure that no more of our most vulnerable citizens are treated with such cruelty and disregard. This indictment is proof of the seriousness of these crimes and of the true heinousness of Tara’s treatment. With Tara’s Law we can protect others from this type of maltreatment.”

Bridget Grimes, Tara’s case worker assigned to her by the State Division of Developmental Disabilities, was charged with six counts of official misconduct for her role in Tara’s treatment.

Sloan, 55, and Grimes, 52, were named in a 17-count indictment handed up today in Hunterdon County. The charges include second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree neglect of a developmentally disabled person and criminal restraint.

“The fight is not over,” said Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, “but this is an encouraging step that Tara’s death will not be swept under the rug. These are serious charges being levied against these two women, and we will watch closely as this case moves forward. For now, I hope Tara’s family can find a modicum of peace in the knowledge that people are listening to their story and care about what happened to Tara.”