The legacy of a woman with cerebral palsy who died in squalid conditions must be stronger protection for vulnerable people, her brother says.
Adelaide woman Ann-Marie Smith died in hospital in April 2020 from septic shock, multiple organ failure, severe pressure sores and malnourishment.
She was found living in squalid conditions in her own home while largely confined to a cane chair, in a case that the Disability Royal Commission said had shocked the community and sparked a series of inquiries.
Former Integrity Care director Amy-June Collins, 46, pleaded guilty to reckless conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act, admitting that she had engaged in conduct that exposed Ms Smith to a risk of serious injury.
Integrity Care was the NDIS provider responsible for the 54-year-old's care.
During sentencing submissions in the South Australian District Court on Monday, Ms Smith's brother said the family’s concerns went beyond Collins and focused on the now-defunct organisation's failure to provide appropriate oversight, supervision and safeguards to prevent prolonged neglect.
“If neglect of this severity was able to continue for such an extended period without detection, it's reasonable to ask whether such failures could occur elsewhere,” Steve Smith said in a statement read by his daughter Montana Smith.
She should be remembered not just as a victim - but as a person, a sister, a daughter, an aunty, a niece and a friend, the brother said.
“Her life was precious. She deserved dignity, compassion, safety and the opportunity to live the life that was taken from her,” he said.
“Let Annie's legacy be the one that strengthens the protection of vulnerable people, that pushes for higher standards of care and ensures that no family must endure the same heartbreak that mine has suffered."
Ms Smith’s uncle, Glen Smith, was overwhelmed by the degree of neglect and indifference, combined with a lack of oversight.
“When a company runs on its promise to provide care and attention, and then fails so abysmally, I find it incomprehensible,” he said.
“I do hope my nightmares frequent the directors of Integrity Care.”
A charge of criminal neglect against Collins was dropped on August 12 when she pleaded guilty to the reckless conduct charge.
She admitted she should have ensured Integrity Care had a policy that health and capability assessments were performed every 12 months for Ms Smith.
She should also have ensured that Ms Smith’s carer, Rosa Maria Maione, was given information about how cerebral palsy impacted on daily living and care needs.
Maione was jailed in March 2022 for at least five years and three months after pleading guilty to manslaughter.
A criminal case against co-director Alison Maree Virgo, 45, has been withdrawn.
In July, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission withdrew civil proceedings against Integrity Care, which was deregistered as a company in April 2025.
The Collins matter returns to court on September 10 for further submissions.
