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Judge rejects plea agreement for woman in shocking elder abuse case

A woman was in Union County court Monday morning to be sentenced after a guilty plea to elder abuse charges, but the judge rejected her plea agreement.

LEWISBURG, Pa. — A woman was in Union County court Monday morning to be sentenced after a guilty plea to elder abuse charges, but the judge decided against her plea agreement.

Madison Cox was surrounded by family and friends as she left the Union County Courthouse in Lewisburg.

Cox, 19, expected to be sentenced for elder abuse, but that's not what happened. As part of her plea agreement, Cox faced nearly two years in jail with the possibility of spending that time on house arrest.

Judge Michael Piecuch rejected her plea agreement, saying it was not sufficient punishment.

In February, Cox admitted to taking disturbing pictures and videos of at least 12 patients while she worked at Heritage Springs Memory Care Near Lewisburg. That is a senior living facility for people with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Officials say some of the photos showed patients partially clothed or nude.

Members of Cox's family spoke at the hearing. One family member told the judge, "I understand she made a mistake, but she was in high school. She is a good person."

Dozens of people showed up at the courthouse, some carrying signs and others wearing T-shirts. They were there to support the victims in the case, who range in age from 69 to 100.

During the hearing, one victim's grandson told the judge, "To say it was a mistake would be a mischaracterization of what occurred. This was deliberate to violate someone who was care dependent."

"The pictures and videos are disgusting," said Union County District Attorney Brian Kerstetter. "She was in a position to take care of individuals who couldn't care for themselves and violated it."

Lynn Fiedler spoke at the hearing. Her mother was one of the victims.

"This has been a very long, painful process," Fiedler said, "I am here to be a voice to the voiceless, the residents who were abused, including my mother."

Fiedler told the judge she feels guilt, rage and deep sadness.

"As long as I am breathing, I will fight for change and help to protect this very vulnerable population of people who are very unprotected at this point."

After hearing statements from both Cox's family and family members of some of the victims, Judge Michael Piecuch rejected that plea agreement, saying it did not reflect the course of conduct.

The case against Madison Cox is now back on the pretrial list, which means it will either go to trial or another plea agreement could be arranged.

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