A woman squandered $ 400 000 from a sick son's medical bill.
'19.05.2018'
Source: Lansing state journal
A woman from Eaton County admitted that she spent more than 400 000, received for the treatment of 9-year-old son.
Court records state that XiNumx-year-old Kasi Pruden-Rivera’s son, Hayden Rivera, suffers from cerebral palsy, permanent brain damage and other health problems.
At the indictment hearing in the courtroom, the deputy Eaton Sheriff's Office, Adam Simon, testified that Pruden-Rivera received about $ 650 000 after the son was injured at birth.
Pruden-Rivera and her ex-husband, Hijinio Rivera, who was a soldier during the birth of Hayden, sued the army because their son suffered from convulsions and suffered brain damage shortly after being born in an army hospital Texas.
As a result, the spouses came to a settlement agreement, as a result of which the Ministry of Justice determined to pay them more than $ 3 million, which can be used only for Hayden’s medical assistance. If he dies before the funds are used, the balance is returned to the government.
Another part of the money, about $ 550 000, was issued to Hayden’s guardians to pay for living expenses, which cannot be directly related to his permanent incapacity.
Kasi Pruden-Rivera was Hayden’s guardian, which meant that she had to manage his finances, spending money only on what would directly help Hayden.
But instead of putting money into the account, Pruden-Rivera was spending it as if it were her own, said Ken O'Dien, a lawyer who became Heiden's financial advisor.
Of all the money, she spent about $ 240 000 on a house near Charlotte, but investigators could not find an excuse for her other expenses, said Simon.
“The rest of the money went missing,” the deputy said.
A divorce between Kasi Pruden-Rivera and Hijinio Rivera was recently completed, and Hijinio received custody of Hayden and the couple’s other son.
According to court records, child protection workers had previously temporarily placed children with Hijinio after detecting animals, feces, rotting food, garbage and dirty diapers throughout the house of the defendant.
Pruden-Rivera also pleaded guilty to animal abuse and the presence of unregistered dogs. She will not be allowed to own pets for five years, according to court documents.
For embezzling a sick son's money, she faces dl 20 years in prison.
