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Attorney defends client after alleged victim found with maggots in wounds

"It's very sad what happened, his injuries are very significant but she took care of him the very best she could."

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- The attorney of the woman accused of abuse and neglect of an incapacitated Norfolk man spoke out after court Monday morning.

50-year-old Veraline Morgan was charged after a 40-year-old Norfolk man was admitted to the hospital last summer. Doctors found maggots in his wounds, numerous bed sores and he was septic.

“It’s very sad what happened, his injuries are very significant but she took care of him the very best she could,” said defense attorney Eric Korslund.

Korslund said Morgan took care of the man for 11 years and never had a problem before. He added that Morgan shouldn’t be blamed for a medical condition that was “out of her control.”

“Hindsight is 20/20,” said Korslund. “Obviously she should have seen this and there might have been better steps that she could have taken, but that doesn't mean it’s a criminal matter."

13NewsNow asked Korsland how was the victim’s condition able to deteriorate to a level that left the man with maggots in his wounds, and bed sores if Morgan took care of him for 11 years.

“That’s a very good question, and that’s why the case was continued today,” said Korslund. “There’s a large amount of medical documents, some that don’t help her case and some that do help her case.”

Court documents detail there were several nurses employed by Personal Touch Home Care who also took care of the victim several times a week.

Personal Touch Home Care sent 13NewsNow this statement in response:

The only person charged in this matter is not and has never been an employee of Personal-Touch Home Care. After review, we are confident that Personal-Touch Home Care staff acted promptly and appropriately in notifying Adult Protective Services in regards to the matter reported last evening on WVEC. Personal-Touch Home Care is dedicated to providing the highest standards of excellence in home health care. Our staff is highly sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of our patients, which includes making notification to APS or other authorities of potentially hazardous situations when they are discovered.

Morgan’s next appearance in court is scheduled for May 15.

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