The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office has launched a new criminal investigation into the choking death of Cheryl Yewdall, a woman who lived at a care home for individuals with developmental difficulties. The investigation includes testing DNA from a hair found on a wipe that was pulled from Yewdall’s throat nearly three years ago in Philadelphia, according to court documents filed Thursday.
Yewdall was found lying face down on the floor with blue lips and in a pool of urine at the Merakey Woodhaven facility. She was taken to a hospital but died five days later. The cause of her death on Jan. 31, 2022, remains unclear, with the medical examiner unable to determine how the wipe ended up in her airway. This leaves questions about whether her death was accidental or a homicide.
Yewdall’s family has been seeking answers and welcomed the new developments in the case. Family attorney James Pepper expressed their gratitude for the attorney general’s office’s commitment to uncovering the truth.
A $15 million wrongful death lawsuit filed by Yewdall’s mother has cast suspicion on an unidentified staff member at the care home. The family’s attorneys have requested DNA testing on a strand of hair found on the wipe, a crucial piece of evidence missed by city homicide investigators.
The state attorney general’s office has taken control of the evidence for DNA testing, stepping in after previous reluctance from state and city investigators. This newfound focus on the case has shed light on the need for further examination into Yewdall’s tragic passing.
Merakey has denied any wrongdoing in Yewdall’s death, stating that the wipe in question is not used at their facility. The company has refuted claims that one of their employees could have been involved in her death, attributing the presence of the wipe to circumstances post-Yewdall’s departure from the premises.
The ongoing legal battle and investigation into Yewdall’s death highlight the importance of seeking justice and accountability in cases of this nature. As the case unfolds, more evidence may come to light, providing closure for Yewdall’s family and ensuring that justice is served.
The closure of the Woodhaven facility and the relocation of its residents mark a significant shift in the care industry, emphasizing the need for more community-based and individualized support systems for individuals with developmental difficulties.
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