SYLVAN TOWNSHIP, MI - A 42-year-old Sylvan Township woman is facing a criminal charge in connection with the 2015 death of her son, police confirmed.
The 21-year-old man, who had cerebral palsy, died after drinking windshield wiper fluid, according to Michigan State Police Lt. Mario Gonzales.
The man's mother, Paulette Redding, was charged in May with one count of second-degree vulnerable adult abuse, according to court records.
State law defines the charge as a "reckless act or reckless failure to act of the caregiver or other person with authority over the vulnerable adult causes serious physical harm or serious mental harm to a vulnerable adult."
Police were called to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital on June 27, 2015 to investigate after the 21-year-old was admitted after becoming sick from drinking windshield wiper fluid, according to Gonzales.
The man died on June 30. The death was ruled an accident, Gonzales said.
The incident occurred at Redding's Sylvan Township home, according to police. The township is outside of Chelsea, about 10 miles west of Ann Arbor.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor's office authorized a warrant on March 28.
It's unclear why it took so long to charge the case. Gonzales said detectives conducted a "thorough investigation."
The prosecutor's office said Redding is being charged because she didn't seek treatment for her son quick enough.
"...The criminal complaint filed with the court states that the defendant directly cared for or had physical custody of a vulnerable adult, and she caused serious physical harm to the vulnerable adult by failing to secure medical treatment in a timely manner," Chief Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Steven Hiller said in an email.
Redding's attorney, Ann Arbor-based Joe Simon, declined to comment when reached by phone Thursday, Aug. 24.
Redding's first post-arraignment court appearance is scheduled in the 14A-1 District Court for Aug. 31. Redding is free on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
The charge is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.