Parents Charged in Death of Chenango Bridge Woman
The mother and father of a 23-year-old autistic woman who lived with them in the Town of Chenango have been indicted on manslaughter counts in connection with her death.
Authorities say 61-year-old Edward Kunkel and 56-year-old Renee Kunkel also face felony charges of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. They each also were indicted on two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Investigators say 23-year-old Kayla Kunkel died at Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City after she had stopped breathing at her home on Theresa Boulevard in Chenango Bridge.
Medics and Broome County sheriff's deputies performed CPR on the woman after they were called to the residence on June 29, 2019.
Sheriff's office investigators ultimately determined Kayla had been living with autism and was incapable of caring for herself. They concluded her death was a result of inadequate guardianship.
Two teenagers who also were living in the home at the time were subjected to unsafe and grossly unsanitary living conditions.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com
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