Caregiver charged in death of Michigan woman with MS

From The Grand Rapids Press in Michigan:

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. -- As Amber Carey battled multiple sclerosis, her family said they were kept at arms-length by her live-in caretaker, William John Masselink (pictured).

In the last few years, they said their phone calls and knocks on the door often went unanswered at Carey's Grand Haven apartment she shared with Masselink.

Carey's family say they became increasingly concerned about how the 34-year-old woman was weathering her illness, which left her unable to walk or properly care for herself.

On March 16, Masselink, 45, was arraigned in Grand Haven District Court, charged with involuntary manslaughter and second-degree vulnerable adult abuse in connection with Carey's Feb. 23 death.

Carey died at North Ottawa Community Hospital after bedsores on her body became infected, said Erica Larson of Jackson, her half-sister.

Family members suspected something was amiss, but couldn't prove neglect before Carey's death, Larson said. She noted Masselink received cash payments from the government for taking care of Carey.

"Bill would answer the door when he wanted to and answer the phone when he wanted to," said Larson, 29. "Bill was keeping her away from all of us."

Masselink remains in the Ottawa County Jail on a $60,000 bond.

A man who identified himself as Masselink's father declined to comment Tuesday, saying "It's a little premature. I don't want to talk about it."

When asked to describe the relationship between his son and Carey, he simply said it was "very tight."

Masselink had been acting as Carey's caretaker for as many as nine years, and had been living with her since at least 2004, Larson said. Carey first contracted multiple sclerosis 12 years ago after the birth of her son, Hunter, Larson said.

For the last few months, Carey's son has lived in a foster home in Holland, said Lennon Larson, 22, of Twin Lake, Carey's brother.

He said authorities first became aware of Carey's neglect in November or December, when what he described as a visiting nurse saw Carey at her Grand Haven apartment and alerted authorities she wasn't being properly cared for.

The thought that Carey was being neglected and couldn't communicate with her family is difficult for Lennon Larson to stomach. He says the charges against Masselink are the right move, but they'll never make up for the loss of his sister.

Masselink's criminal record includes convictions for breaking and entering and larceny, according to state police records.

"You should never treat anyone with neglect in that kind of condition," Lennon Larson said. "It's inhumane."