Draft:Lacey Fletcher
| Submission declined on 27 February 2024 by Utopes (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
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Comment: Not enough coverage of the subject outside of her death. Also, WP:NYPOST is generally considered unreliable. Utopes (talk / cont) 17:28, 27 February 2024 (UTC)
Lacey Fletcher was an autistic American woman who died due to parental neglect in the summer of 2023. Her case was described by the coroner Dr. Ewell Bickham as something he had never seen in his 30 year long career as a physician[1]. The parents pleaded no contest to a manslaughter charge.[2]
Lacey Fletcher | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 25, 1985 |
| Died | January 3, 2022 (aged 36) |
| Cause of death | Sepsis; bone infection, malnutrition |
| Nationality | American |
| Parent(s) | Clay Fletcher, Sheila Fletcher |
She was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Baker, Louisiana.[3]
Background[edit]
Lacey grew up in Louisiana, and played Volleyball at Brownfields Baptist Academy. Around 2002, she disappeared from public view.[4]
Her mother, Sheila, had worked as a deputy clerk for the Zachary City Court.[5]
Death[edit]
On January 3, 2022 paramedics responded to a call made by the mother, Sheila Fletcher, to their home in Slaughter.[6] When they arrived at the home they found Lacey "melted" into the couch. Her body had been infested by maggots before her death, and she was very emaciated at a weight of 96 pounds.[6] The body was covered in feces, pressure ulcers and wounds resulting in parts of her bones being visible. Yellow foam from the couch she had been laying on and excrement was found inside her stomach.[4] She also tested positive for Covid-19. Lacey was believed to have been in the same position on the couch for as long as 12 years.
Aftermath[edit]
The parents were not initally arrested after the discovery of Laceys body. Three weeks after Laceys death, Sheila resigned from her position on Slaughters Board of Aldermen.[7] Later in January both Sheila and Clay Fletcher were arrested and charged with murder, but later the charge was changed and they were indicted of manslaughter. They plead no contest.
The coroner, Dr. Ewell Bickham, was particularly affected and traumatized by the case. He has been cited saying "I couldn't eat for a week, and I cried for a week"[1], and “I’ve seen every kind of death there is. I’ve never seen a homicide like this. I have never seen a human being literally tortured and allowed to die while she is alive."
The case has led to outrage over the parents neglect of their daughter, who had been diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome and severe social anxiety.[2]
Laceys ninth grade teacher, Jeri Lowe-Howell, said “She may well have had autism but that is no excuse for letting her rot away for years until she died. Even if she was in some way resistant or difficult, that’s when parents call in the professionals. It’s not as if she moved out and was in her own home and wouldn’t let them help her. She was in their house! They weren’t helpless. There are resources. I just can’t understand this.”[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Nakamoto, Chris; McWilliams, Erin; Monteverde, Danny (2022-04-26). "Coroner found woman 'melted' into couch after she disappeared for a decade; grand jury weighing charges for her parents". WBRZ. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ a b Steinbuch, Yaron (2024-02-06). "Parents of Lacey Fletcher, woman found 'melted' to couch, plead no contest to manslaughter". New York Post.
- ^ "Lacey Fletcher Obituary 2022". Baker Funeral Home. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ a b c Kennedy, Dana (2024-02-23). "Lacey Fletcher's sad life and death on her parents' couch". New York Post. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ "Sheila Fletcher - Deputy Clerk - Zachary City Court". Linkedin. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ a b "Parents of woman 'left to rot away on sofa for 12 years' charged with murder". The Independent. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ Simerman, John (2022-04-26). "After 'horrific' death at home, parents of Louisiana woman may soon face murder charges". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.