Mentally handicapped woman dies, paid caregiver charged with beating, assault

Patricia Anna Santos Duvalier, 57, of Dora, is being held in jail without bond in connection with a case in which she reportedly abused a mostly non-verbal 37-year-old Tecumseh woman who was mentally-handicapped. 

Duvalier was the paid caregiver of the woman as well as her elderly, bedridden mother, who is also believed to be a victim of Duvalier’s alleged abuse. 

The 37-year-old victim died, according to Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin. Sheriff’s report records show that death was reported on Oct. 8. The sheriff said the current charges are filed by the OCSD, allowing them to hold Duvalier in custody, but he anticipates additional charges (likely more serious) will be filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Department of Health and Senior Services in connection with the case.  If and when those charges are filed, the Times will share further details. 

According to the probable cause statement, on March 14, the 37-year-old mentally-handicapped woman was admitted to Ozarks Healthcare emergency room in West Plains for injuries she sustained in what was reported as a fall. During the course of the woman’s examination, medical staff noted several concerning physical attributes. They first noted that the woman had lost roughly 50 pounds in a short period of time. She had numerous bruises that were indicative of abuse and had tissue missing from her lip, which was consistent with injuries that would result from a blow to the face. She also had a broken nose.

Several hospital staff members noted that the woman seemed very scared and, although she was almost completely non-verbal, she did say, “help me,” to various medical staff. Emergency room physicians and nursing staff wrote letters that confirmed those claims. 

The woman’s paid caregiver, Duvalier, told hospital staff that the woman had suffered a fall, which is how she received the injuries. 

Duvalier also said she had power-of-attorney over the woman, but when hospital staff asked for a copy of the power of attorney paperwork, she redacted her statement and said she actually didn’t have power of attorney over her, the statement says. 

Additional questioning from the West Plains Police Department and the Department of Health and Senior Services found further inconsistencies in Duvalier’s story.

Martin says that the mentally handicapped woman was unable to tell officers any details of what had happened except to say “help me,” limiting officers from filing charges of any kind against anyone. 

The woman was released to Brooke Haven Healthcare in West Plains for rehabilitation. Martin says the case was turned over to the Department of Health and Senior Services for further investigation.

Then, at some point after a couple months, the 37-year-old woman left the nursing facility. It is believed that the discharge may have happened against medical advice. She returned back into the home with the mother and the caregiver, Duvalier. 

Then, at 11:06 a.m. Oct. 6, the Ozark County Sheriff’s dispatch office received a call from Duvalier. She reportedly told a dispatcher that the 37-year-old woman was not breathing and that chest compressions were being done. 

The report shows that Duvalier said she found the woman laying outside of the car, not breathing. She said she was blue and cold to the touch. Duvalier reportedly said she did not know how long she had been there. She said the woman’s chin and face were injured in what appeared to her to be a fall from the car. 

The Ozark County Ambulance and OCSD Deputy Josh Sherman responded to the home. Martin said that during the course of that visit Sherman called him and said he felt like something wasn’t quite right, and Duvalier’s story wasn’t adding up. They agreed that an autopsy should be ordered for the death.

An official from the Ozark County Coroner’s office retrieved the woman’s body and transported it back to Clinkingbeard Funeral Home. Martin said by the time they arrived in Gainesville, intense and extensive bruising began showing up all across the woman’s body. An autopsy was orderesd. It is believed that it has since been completed. 

Duvalier is currently charged with assault of a special victim, a class A felony, and abuse of a person with a disability, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted of the class A felony, the strictest category of charge allowed in the state of Missouri, Duvalier will spent 10 to 30 years or life imprisonment in the Missouri Department of Corrections. It is thought that additional charges will also be filed. 

A warrant was issued for Duvalier’s arrest Oct. 14, and she was arrested Oct. 16. Online records show that she is being represented by Public Defender Chase Edmon Opolka. 

A bond reduction hearing was held, and Associate Judge Raymond Gross denied any reduction of bond, meaning she is still being held in jail without bond. She is scheduled to appear back in associate court in Gainesville at 9 a.m. Nov. 14.