CW: Abuse, Neglect & Death
Sheila and Clay Fletcher pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter on February 5 after a judge dismissed second-degree murder charges in their daughter Lacey’s death. The Fletchers will be out on bond until February 20.
Lacey was discovered dead, sitting in urine and feces, two years ago. She was also sunken into the couch covered in bedsores and maggots. Investigators believe she was allowed to suffer for at least 12 years.
According to former East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Bickham, Lacey was autistic and had been neglected for more than a decade. Records show that she hadn’t seen a doctor since 2002.
Bickham’s findings indicated starvation was a factor in her death. By the time she died, Lacey weighed 96 lbs. Filling from the couch was found in her stomach during the autopsy.
The case had an emotional impact on Bickham. “I’ve never seen a homicide like this’’ he told NewsNation. He also had trouble eating and sleeping because of Lacey’s horrific death.
The Fletchers’ defense attorneys argued they are good people who pose no threat to the public and never intended to harm Lacey. “They loved their daughter to a fault,” said attorney Steven Moore. The Fletchers say they brought their daughter meals and a portable toilet but she was afraid to leave the couch.
Clay and Sheila Fletcher were first arrested and charged with second-degree murder in May 2022, following the death of their daughter. After their attorney raised concerns about the flawed language in the charging affidavits, a judge dismissed the charges. A grand jury in East Feliciana Parish re-indicted the parents in June 2023. The District Attorney’s Office is going to request a maximum sentence of forty years.
Sadly, autistic people are more likely to experience abuse, neglect, or mistreatment. In comparison to their neurotypical, nondisabled peers, autistic children are more likely to experience physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Additional research found high rates of reported physical abuse (18.5%), sexual abuse (12.2%), or both (4.4%). In a survey of college students, autistic people were twice as likely to report unwelcome sexual contact than their neurotypical peers.
There is no excuse for abusing, neglecting, or killing disabled people. Disabled people deserve to live a life free from abuse and neglect. I hope Lacey’s parents receive an appropriate punishment for what they put their daughter through, because nobody should suffer the way Lacey did.
Sources:
Britton, Sudan, and Bonnie Bolden. “Louisiana Parents Accused of Letting Autistic Daughter Die Plead No Contest to Manslaughter.” CBS 42, Nexstar Media Group, 6 Feb. 2024, http://www.cbs42.com/regional/louisiana-parents-accused-of-letting-autistic-daughter-die-plead-no-contest-to-manslaughter/amp/.
Jimenez, Gabby. “Parents of Woman Who Died on Maggot-Ridden Couch to Plead No Contest to Manslaughter, Da Says.” The Advocate, Capital City Press LLC, 1 Feb. 2024, http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/east_feliciana/lacey-fletchers-parents-plead-guilty-to-manslaughter/article_654ea708-c168-11ee-bbb5-138a84079773.html.
Jassin, Liz. “Coroner Wants Graphic Photos of Woman ‘melted’ to Sofa Shown.” NewsNation, Nexstar Media Group, 9 Feb. 2024, http://www.newsnationnow.com/banfield/coroner-graphic-photos-lacey-fletcher-melted-sofa/amp/.
Rosato, Chris. “Parents of Lacey Fletcher Enter No Contest Plea to Manslaughter.” WAFB, Gray Television, 6 Feb. 2024, http://www.wafb.com/2024/02/06/parents-lacey-fletcher-enter-no-contest-plea/.
Weiss, Jonathan A., and Michelle A. Fardella. ‘Victimization and Perpetration Experiences of Adults With Autism’. Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 9, 2018, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00203.