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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Family of NDIS client who died after serious neglect shares heartbreak

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Ann Marie Smith, a 54-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, died in April 2020 from severe neglect, including malnutrition and septic shock.
  • Her former NDIS provider, Integrity Care SA, faced legal action, with co-director Amy June Collins pleading guilty to reckless conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act after criminal neglect charges were dropped.
  • Ms. Smith's family expressed their grief and called for strengthened protections for vulnerable people in the disability care system, hoping her legacy will prevent similar tragedies.

The uncle of Ann Marie Smith, who died in April 2020 from severe neglect, has expressed his enduring pain and hopes for retribution against the directors of her former NDIS provider. "That her death was preventable, astounds me. That such neglect and indifference combined with a lack of oversight could operate for so long, I find overwhelming," he told South Australia's District Court.

That her death was preventable, astounds me. That such neglect and indifference combined with a lack of oversight could operate for so long, I find overwhelming.

— Glen SmithMs. Smith's uncle, speaking in a victim impact statement at the South Australia District Court.

Ms. Smith, 54, who had cerebral palsy, died from complications including malnutrition and septic shock. She had been kept in a cane chair in her home for over a year before her death. Her former care provider, Integrity Care SA (ICSA), faced legal scrutiny. Co-director Amy June Collins pleaded guilty to reckless conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act, a less serious charge than the criminal neglect initially filed against her. Charges against another co-director were dropped.

Her life was precious, she deserved dignity, compassion, safety and the opportunity to live the life that was taken from her.

— Steven SmithMs. Smith's brother, speaking in a victim impact statement at the South Australia District Court.

Ms. Smith's brother, Steven, shared his sister's suffering, stating she "deserved dignity, compassion, safety and the opportunity to live the life that was taken from her." He urged the court to make Annie's legacy one that strengthens protections for vulnerable individuals. "If neglect of this severity was able to continue for such an expanded period without detection, it's reasonable to ask whether similar failures could occur elsewhere," he said.

If neglect of this severity was able to continue for such an expanded period without detection, it's reasonable to ask whether similar failures could occur elsewhere.

— Steven SmithMs. Smith's brother, speaking in a victim impact statement at the South Australia District Court.

Collins' lawyer indicated his client has "genuine remorse." The family's plea highlights concerns about the broader disability care system, questioning if similar failures could be occurring undetected elsewhere and emphasizing the need for justice to change future outcomes for those dependent on care.

When a company runs on its promise to provide care and attention and then fails so abysmally, I find incomprehensible.

— Glen SmithMs. Smith's uncle, speaking in a victim impact statement at the South Australia District Court.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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