Mother of Disabled Michigan Teen Sentenced in Tragic Neglect Case
If you follow our blog, you may already be familiar with the heartbreaking case of 16-year-old Hannah Warner, a physically and mentally disabled teenager who died as a result of long-term neglect. Hannah suffered from chromosome translocation, a genetic condition that left her bedridden, requiring a feeding tube, a tracheotomy, and full-time care for all her daily needs.
Police found her body more than a day after her death
When officers from the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious death check, they discovered Hannah’s body in a closed bedroom. The door was covered by a blanket, with a sign reading “sleeping” taped to it. Inside, they found the teen lying in a heavily soiled bed. She had large, untreated bedsores and her tracheotomy tube had been removed.
The medical examiner later noted that her feeding tube had not been recently changed and may not have been functional at the time of her death. Hannah weighed just 43 pounds.
Her mother admitted to neglect
Hannah’s mother, Cari Ann Wright, admitted that she had not fed her daughter in weeks. She also acknowledged that although caring for Hannah was extremely difficult, she never asked for help and had been her only caregiver from birth.
Wright was initially charged with Open Murder, First Degree Child Abuse, and Torture, though the torture charge was later dismissed. She told investigators she had not been providing care for her daughter for some time, despite knowing the consequences.
Mental illness played a role, but not enough to support an insanity defense
Wright was evaluated at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Ann Arbor. Although she was diagnosed with mental illness, the evaluation concluded she did not meet Michigan’s legal standard for insanity. This prevented her attorney from pursuing an insanity defense.
Instead, Wright accepted a plea agreement, pleading guilty to Second Degree Murder While Mentally Ill. In exchange, the remaining charges were dropped. She was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison, with the agreement that she will receive mental health treatment while incarcerated.
A deeply tragic case—but not the norm for special needs families
As attorney Brandy Thompson noted, this case is not reflective of most parents raising special needs children. The overwhelming majority are committed, loving caregivers who work tirelessly to advocate for their children, often under extremely challenging circumstances.
Unfortunately, these same parents can sometimes find themselves under investigation by Child Protective Services, even when they’ve done nothing wrong. In our practice, we’ve represented many families of children with complex medical needs who were falsely accused of neglect.
If you’ve been accused of child abuse or neglect, get legal help right away
Cases involving child abuse or neglect—especially those involving special needs children—are taken very seriously in Michigan. Convictions can result in long prison sentences, loss of parental rights, and permanent damage to your family and reputation.
At The Kronzek Firm, we’ve spent decades defending Michigan parents against abuse and neglect allegations. If you’re being investigated or have been charged, we can help you navigate both the criminal and CPS processes.
Call us today at 866-766-5245. Our experienced child abuse defense attorneys are available 24/7 to protect your rights, your children, and your future.