This morning two Directors of Integrity Care SA were arrested and together with Integrity Care SA are charged with Criminal Neglect Causing Death in relation to Ann Marie Smith's death on April 6, 2020.
All three are also charged with failing to comply with a health and safety duty that exposed Annie to risk of death, serious injury or illness
Annie, as she was known to friends, had cerebral palsy and engaged Integrity Care SA to provide care through funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Her carer Rosa Maione was arrested and charged with manslaughter and on March 18, 2022 was sentenced to six years, seven months (with a non-parole period of five years and three months).
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Linda Williams said - "This was a comprehensive joint investigation with Safe Work SA and is first time both agencies have had a co-located task force to investigate such a death."
"When people accept a duty of care to look after our sick or vulnerable people our community demands, and rightly expects they deliver the highest standard of care," Deputy Commissioner Williams said.
"Therefore it is alleged those charged were criminally negligent in the care they provided and that they engaged in conduct which exposed Annie to risk of death, serious injury or illness."
Detective Superintendent Des Bray of Major Crime Investigation Branch said investigators will now focus on finalising the brief of evidence, which should take about three months.
"Despite today's arrests, I want to stress there were good people working at Integrity Care SA and those people are not responsible for, and did not know the neglect Annie suffered," Detective Superintendent Bray said.
"Police would like to thank the community for their assistance in this investigation with multiple calls to Crime Stoppers enabling investigators to gather evidence in this case."
SafeWork SA Executive Director, Martyn Campbell, said "employers have a duty to provide a safe system of work to their workers, visitors and others who come into the workplace. This included Annie in this case. Her home became a workplace as soon as the carer entered it to do her work. Directors of a business have an additional duty to ensure a business has those safety systems in place and they are followed. Is alleged that Integrity Care and its Directors failed in these duties."
If anyone has additional information regarding Annie Smith please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestopperssa.com.au
CO2200017161
