Ohio reviewing malnourished teen death case

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — State officials are reviewing the case of a 14-year old girl who authorities say weighed 28 pounds when she died of nutritional and medical neglect complicated by cerebral palsy and whose care involved Medicaid funds.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the state pays CareStar Inc. about $30 million annually to oversee various Medicaid programs, including the one covering Makayla Norman. Authorities say she died March 1 with her body covered in bedsores.

An Ohio Department of Job and Family Services spokesman confirmed today that the agency is reviewing the case but cannot comment because of the criminal investigation.

The girl’s mother and three nurses have been indicted on criminal charges in her death

CareStar’s president says he also cannot comment because of the criminal investigation.