A 64-year-old New York man faces criminal charges following the death of his elderly mother, who authorities say died from medical neglect while living in substandard conditions on his property.

Joseph Polizzi has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person in connection with the death of 89-year-old Nancy Polizzi. The charges stem from an investigation that began in February 2025 when state troopers discovered the elderly woman deceased in a shed on a property in Carlisle, New York.

According to state police, Nancy Polizzi had been living in the shed since August 2024. The structure lacked basic amenities including running water and heating, conditions that became particularly severe during the winter months when temperatures in the upstate New York town dropped as low as 4 degrees Fahrenheit.

An autopsy conducted on the elderly woman revealed she died from sepsis resulting from untreated gangrenous decubitus ulceration, commonly known as bedsores. The medical examiner classified the manner of death as homicide, indicating that the death resulted from another person’s actions or negligence.

Investigators determined that Joseph Polizzi served as his mother’s primary caretaker during the final months of her life. According to authorities, Nancy Polizzi was completely dependent on care, unable to walk, feed herself, or speak in the weeks leading up to her death. Despite her severe medical needs and deteriorating condition, investigators allege that her son failed to provide adequate medical care or seek necessary medical treatment.

The investigation revealed that while Nancy Polizzi suffered in the unheated shed, her son lived in close proximity on the same property. This arrangement continued for approximately six months, from August 2024 until her death in February 2025, spanning the harsh winter months in upstate New York.

Joseph Polizzi was arrested at his residence on Thursday and subsequently booked into the Schoharie County Correctional Facility. A judge set bail at $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond.

The case highlights concerns about elder care and the vulnerability of dependent elderly individuals. Bedsores, which develop from prolonged pressure on the skin, are preventable with proper care and can become life-threatening if left untreated. In Nancy Polizzi’s case, the untreated wounds progressed to gangrene and ultimately sepsis, a potentially fatal systemic infection.

Carlisle, located approximately 40 miles west of Albany, is a small town in Schoharie County. The tragedy has drawn attention to the challenges of elder care in rural communities and the legal responsibilities of caregivers.

The charges against Joseph Polizzi carry serious potential consequences. Criminally negligent homicide involves causing death through criminal negligence, while endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person addresses the failure to provide proper care to a dependent individual.

As the case proceeds through the criminal justice system, it serves as a stark reminder of the legal and moral obligations caregivers have toward elderly and vulnerable family members who depend on them for basic needs and medical care.