Local man sentenced for elder abuse

Robert Parker Young, 52, of Moorpark, was sentenced to nine years in state prison for elder abuse and neglect charges that resulted in the death of his mother.

Jane Edwards was found dead two years ago in deplorable conditions. She lived with Young in a mobile home in Moorpark and he was supposed to be her caregiver.

Investigators concluded that Edwards, who had Alzheimer's disease, hadn't eaten for a number of days, said Deputy District Attorney Cindy Nguyen. Edwards' prescription medication had not been refilled since October 2004 and she'd been lying on her bedroom floor for two weeks without being moved.

"All evidence points out that she was alive for most of the two weeks," Nguyen said.

Young was charged with elder abuse and neglect, which carries a maximum term of four years in prison, said Nguyen. But because there was a death, the district attorney added seven years. Thus the maximum sentence allowed by law for this case would have been 11 years.

Both the defendant and his mother were very private people, said Nguyen. Although it's unlikely that neighbors knew what was going on, friends did express concern. Nothing, however, gave any indication of the gravity of the situation, the district attorney said.

- - Sylvie Belmond