Woman dies after alleged elder abuse

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WPRI) - Prosecutors said Thursday that an 81-year-old woman believed to have been a victim of elder abuse has died of her injuries.

Mary Araujo died on her 81st birthday Thursday at St. Anne's Hospital, according to the Bristol County, Mass., district attorney's office.

Medical examiners will take custody of Araujo's body Thursday or Friday and have scheduled an autopsy this weekend.

Araujo had been on life support since Saturday with a blood infection and bedsores so severe, her bones and tendons could be seen.

Police said her family called for help on Saturday after she became unconscious. Police said she had been unconscious for several days before that. She lived with five family members in a home on Londsdale Street.

Araujo's daughter, son-in-law and three grandsons have been arrested. Their charges:

• Duarte Cabral, 51: Permitting injury to an elderly or disabled person; permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person
• Karen Cabral, 49: Permitting injury to an elderly or disabled person; permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person
• Corey Cabral, 21: Permitting injury to an elderly or disabled person; permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person
• Scott Cabral, 24: Permitting injury to an elderly or disabled person; permitting serious injury to an elderly or disabled person
• Keith Cabral, 29: Elder neglect-serious injury

The investigation continues, and it has not been determined whether the suspects will face more serious charges now that Araujo has died.