Woman found guilty of failing to manage grandmother’s diabetes, leading to death

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW/Gray News) - A jury has found a Wisconsin woman guilty of neglect in her grandmother’s death.

Kandise Sheahen, 38, was convicted of negligently subjecting an individual at risk to abuse, causing death. The verdict came following a three-day trial.

Investigators said Sheahen had been the woman’s health care power of attorney, with her grandmother dying on Jan. 8, 2022.

Investigators said paramedics had been called to the home five times in the days before the woman died. All of those calls were for lift assistance.

During a call for a medical response on Jan. 4, 2022, the woman, who was diabetic, was suspected to have low blood sugar. First responders advised that the woman should be taken to the hospital for hyperglycemia.

However, investigators said Sheahen stated she only wanted lift assistance for the woman. Sheahen then istered insulin. Authorities said first responders also wanted to check the woman’s vital signs, but Sheahen did not allow that to happen.

Following the woman’s death, authorities said people came forward with their concerns about the circumstances. Law enforcement was informed that Sheahen had posted on Facebook that she had taken the woman off her medications. Those medications included insulin, blood pressure medication and pain medicine.

Autopsy results showed the woman died of diabetic ketoacidosis. She also had COVID-19, along with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Results from the woman’s blood sugar meter, going back three months, showed she was experiencing hyperglycemia in the weeks before her death, court documents stated, and that Sheahen, a ed nurse, would have been aware of this.

During further investigation, a detective said Sheahen indeed had taken the woman off her prescribed medication and began treating her with non-FDA-approved supplements.

Facebook posts showed Sheahen was selling the supplements, authorities said.

According to investigators, Sheahen told them several times that while she was the woman’s power of attorney, she felt the woman should be able to make her own decision, and she was not going to force her to take medications.

A sentencing date for Sheahen has not yet been scheduled, but a scheduling conference is currently on the calendar for June 10.

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