Anthony Waldron: Man sentenced to 29 years in prison for neglect leading to death of 17-year-old disabled stepson

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OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK: On Tuesday, December 12, Anthony Waldron, the stepfather of 17-year-old Jordan Brooks, was sentenced to 29 years in prison for neglect that led to the death of the boy.

Brooks, who lived with cerebral palsy, reportedly weighed only 55 pounds (24.9 kg) at the time of his death in May 2021, as he lost half his weight in just eight months due to neglect.

Timeline of the tragic death of Jordan Brooks

Despite warning signs noted by teachers as far back as 2018, Child Protective Services gave the benefit of the doubt to Anthony and his wife, Lisa Waldron, who also faces legal consequences for the mistreatment of Brooks.

Lisa is serving a two-year federal term for misusing Social Security money even after her son's death. She pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and second-degree manslaughter in New York state, receiving a 20-year sentence after completing her federal prison term.

Federal authorities reported bed sores covering a large area of Brooks’ body, and autopsy photos revealed metal implants protruding from his skin. He would apparently sit in soiled diapers for days, and once spent 11 days in his wheelchair without being put to bed.

Oswego County Acting District Attorney Mark Moody, who also served as a coroner in the case was appalled by Brooks' condition and stated, "The sentiment from my regard is … sorrow."

He added, "I mean, I know I’ve been doing this for 26 years. I have seen a lot of death scenes. I have seen a lot of different horrific things. I have never seen anything that has affected me like the way Jordan’s death did, the way he died," as reported by Law & Crime.

Anthony Waldron debates over parental obligation

Prosecutors argue that Lisa lacked remorse and continued misusing funds even when her son was alive, spending money at various establishments. They claimed, "In the months following Jordan’s death, many who knew him mourned, but the defendant [Lisa Waldron] was not one of them."

Anthony's legal defense argued that he did not have a legal obligation to act as a father under state law, as he had not adopted Brooks. The defense contended that the legal duty to find medical care for someone else, in loco parentis, only pertains to a spouse, parents, legal guardian, or someone acting as a parent.

However, the prosecution asserted that despite the lack of a legal or biological relationship, Anthony acted as a parent to the child, having been in his life since Brooks was 7 months old.

Nevertheless, Anthony intends to appeal the case.