Mammoth Spring caretaker gets 30 years in biting attack, death of 92-year-old patient

Police lights are shown in this file photo.
Police lights are shown in this file photo.

A Mammoth Spring caretaker has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in the biting attack of a 92-year-old patient who later died of complications. Jennifer Lea Collins, 56, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a charge of second-degree murder, according to a news release from the Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney's office.

Collins was initially arrested on a charge of first-degree battery. That charge was later upgraded to second-degree murder after death of Jane Sandefur of Cherokee Village.

Sandefur was attacked in her home by Collins, who had been hired as her caregiver, on May 11, 2017, according to authorities. She was discovered by her son and was able to tell emergency responders that Collins had hit her and beaten her, the release states.

Police say Sandefur also suffered "multiple bite wounds." The 92-year-old later succumbed to complications from pneumonia stemming from the attack.

In a statement, Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Henry Boyce called the death "without a doubt one of the most bizarre cases" he had seen in more than 15 years.

NW News on 06/21/2018

Upcoming Events