Lisa Cory as she appeared in her booking photo.

PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and upon executing the warrant, uncovered evidence that Lisa Cory had willfully neglected the victim by failing to provide the necessary care, medical attention, and support that the victim required.”

Portsmouth Police Department

PORTSMOUTH — A 51-year-old local woman was arrested Sunday night after police received a report of elder abuse at her home.

The victim was identified as 78-year-old Leonilda Cory, who died hours after being admitted to Newport Hospital, police said.

Following an investigation by the Portsmouth Police Department’s Detective Division, Lisa Cory, of 91 Mill Lane, was charged with felony abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation of an adult with severe impairments, felony battery criminal negligence, and two counts of felony cruelty or neglect of children.

Police provided the following narrative of the events leading to the arrest:

On Oct. 22 at about 6:50 p.m., police received a report of suspected elder abuse after the Portsmouth Fire Department was called to the victim’s residence and transported her to Newport Hospital for treatment.

Officers responded to the hospital, where they discovered Leonilda Cory in critical condition, police said. An initial investigation indicated she appeared to have been suffering from severe neglect and maltreatment, police said.

Detectives then determined that Lisa Cory was  the victim’s primary caregiver, police said. 

“Detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence and upon executing the warrant, uncovered evidence that Lisa Cory had willfully neglected the victim by failing to provide the necessary care, medical attention, and support that the victim required. Hours after being admitted to the hospital, the victim passed away,” police stated in a press release.

The investigation also revealed that two juvenile children, ages 16 and 17, were living at the address. 

“The Department of Children, Youth, and Families responded to the residence and took custody of the juveniles due to multiple indications of abuse and neglect,” police said.

Lisa Cory was arraigned on the charges at the Newport County District Court on Monday. Bail was set at $30,000 with surety, police said.

“The Portsmouth Police Department extends our sincere condolences to the victim’s family for their tragic loss and continues to investigate this incident in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General,” police said.