A 71-year-old woman is charged with felony murder related to vulnerable adult abuse in the death of a man in Van Buren County. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says a lengthy criminal investigation into the death of Donald Collins in February of 2019 led them to Frances Cherlynn Collins, who is not related to the victim. Frances Collins was arrested and taken to the Van Buren County Jail without incident. She was arraigned on the charges and issued a bond. Collins is due back in court on October 28. Anyone with information on the death of Donald Collins is asked to contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department. Police have not released any additional information on how Donald Collins died.
UPDATE:
The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department has released the following:
Some Clarification:
Mr. Collins passed away at an assisted living facility after being transferred from the care takers home to the hospital. He was previously in the care of the suspect. The suspect was a care taker in her home, with no relation to the victim (they share a last name but are not related through any circumstance). The investigation was related to Vulnerable Adult Abuse, due to the care he received from the suspect Frances Collins which in turn resulted in his death days after being transferred to the hospital and assisted living facility. Cause of Death was listed Sepsis (infection) as a result of his care while in the suspects home.
