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PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh woman accused of burning and malnourishing her 58-pound adult son has now been charged with stealing his Social Security benefit.
Authorities say Vonda Brown submerged the 24-year-old man's hand in a hot liquid in October, resulting in a 58-day hospital stay. But Brown's attorney, Almon Burke, says medical records he's seen suggest Brown's son was being treated for a staph infection.
State agents now say Brown spent her son's Social Security checks while he was in the hospital and didn't use the money for his medical care. Burke didn't respond directly to those charges.
Brown's son is autistic and has cerebral palsy. Authorities have said he was screaming to be fed when he first arrived at a hospital.
Brown also faces aggravated assault and Medicaid fraud charges.
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