Wisconsin Mother Pleads Guilty in Tragic Starvation Death of Autistic Daughter

A 53-year-old woman, Amy S. Laszkiewicz, faces charges for allegedly recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse.

Wisconsin Mother Pleads Guilty in Starvation Death of Daughter with Severe Autism

A Wisconsin mother accused of starving her adult daughter with severe autism to death entered a guilty plea on Thursday. Amy S. Laszkiewicz, 53, was charged with one count of recklessly subjecting an individual at risk to abuse, resulting in death, following the malnutrition-related passing of her 23-year-old daughter, Cora Laszkiewicz, on January 4, 2023.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Law&Crime, the mother reportedly enforced the starvation regime partly to avoid sensitive discussions about her daughter’s weight. In June 2023, Laszkiewicz was arrested and charged. She initially posted a $10,000 bail but was detained again in mid-August after a court commissioner found probable cause for the charges. She was later released on bail.

On Thursday, Laszkiewicz entered an Alford plea before Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Michael O. Bohren. This plea allows defendants to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the evidence could lead to a conviction. Laszkiewicz faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with prosecutors recommending 15 years behind bars.

The tragedy unfolded on January 4, 2023, when Amy Laszkiewicz called 911 after discovering her daughter unresponsive in bed. Deputies arrived to find the 23-year-old, who was diagnosed with severe autism, deceased. Medical evaluations revealed that the victim, standing 5’5”, weighed just 70 pounds at the time of her death. Her condition was described as “extremely thin and emaciated,” with visible rib and hip bones, sunken eyes, and skin indicative of severe dehydration.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing the caregiver's failure to provide adequate food and hydration. According to the complaint, the elder Laszkiewicz admitted her daughter had been isolated in their home since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The young woman had not visited a doctor since 2019 and had last seen a primary care physician in 2017, when she weighed 135 pounds.

Laszkiewicz told investigators her daughter was a picky eater who adhered to a gluten- and dairy-free diet. She admitted noticing her daughter’s extreme weight loss but believed she would recover. When asked why she did not seek medical help, she said she did not want to upset her daughter.

During the court hearing, prosecutors argued for Laszkiewicz’s bail to be revoked, citing concerns about her being a flight risk after her conviction. However, the court denied the request, allowing her to remain free until her sentencing, scheduled for March 21 at 9:30 a.m.

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