Mother Charged in Girl’s Death by Pacemaker Failure
- Share via
EUGENE, Ore. — A woman accused of failing to arrange the routine replacement of her 13-year-old daughter’s heart pacemaker is facing a manslaughter charge.
The device failed in February, resulting in Lacey Michelle Rossini’s death, police said.
Lorie Marie Simonis remained in Lane County Jail on Saturday in lieu of $100,000 bail. The manslaughter charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Rossini had been outfitted with a pacemaker since a congenital heart defect was discovered when she was an infant. The pacemaker or its battery required replacement every two years, as well as periodic checkups.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
