Ron Welch
Muskingum County Prosecutor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Nashport Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Manslaughter and Elder Abuse
Michael J. Slaughter, 41, of Nashport, appeared before Common Pleas Court Judge Kelly Cottrill this week to accept his sentence in a gruesome case of neglect resulting in the death of his father, 65-year-old Michael Slaughter, Sr.
The younger Slaughter pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and a fourth-degree felony charge of failure to provide for a functionally impaired person.
On July 2, a family member called for an ambulance for Slaughter’s father due to serious medical issues. Paramedics arrived to discover the victim had been left to sit in his own urine and feces for such a long time that maggots had infested his lower body and genitalia.
Slaughter’s son lived with his father in a camper in Nashport and was responsible for cooking and caring for his father, who was suffering from depression.
Slaughter’s father's condition was such that he was too weak to stand up on his own.
At the hospital, Michael Slaughter Sr. developed sepsis and passed away as a result of his son failing to adequately care and provide for him. He had a blood infection, acute organ dysfunction, and a urinary tract infection.
After reviewing disturbing photographs of the victim’s condition, as well as reviewing victim impact letters and the surrounding facts of the case, Judge Cottrill arrived at a sentence of eight mandatory years in prison for Slaughter, Jr.
Because the time served will be mandatory, Slaughter will not be eligible for reduction time in prison due to class participation, or a reduction in sentence through judicial release. He will serve each day, day-for-day.
Muskingum County Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch was satisfied with the sentence, but added that this is another case in which no punishment is adequate.
“There are times where no amount of punishment is enough,” Prosecutor Welch said. “This is one of those cases. Our elders deserve to live with dignity and respect. not be left to die in their own waste by loved ones who are supposed to care for them.”
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