Parents of woman who died of neglect plead 'no contest' to manslaughter

The parents of Lacey Fletcher, a 36-year-old woman who died of extreme neglect in January 2022, pleaded no contest to manslaughter in her death this week and now face 40 years in prison.

Lacey was found half-naked on a couch that was worn away from constant sitting and covered in excrement. She was emaciated and had sores that were down to the bone due to time spent on the sofa.

Her parents, Clay and Sheila Fletcher said she had Asperger's, a form of autism, and developed acute social anxiety around age 14.

She had not gotten off the couch for at least 12 years because of anxiety and could not even get up to use the bathroom, they said. She also refused to eat enough to remain healthy, they claimed.

The Fletchers' lawyer said they were "completely remorseful" for what occurred and that they "loved her to death."

The couple is out of jail on bond, but both mother and father must surrender themselves to authorities on Feb. 20.