FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI) — Two women are facing serious criminal charges following an investigation into the death of a vulnerable adult in Fentress County.
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, special agents joined the Jamestown Police Department in investigating the 2024 death of Andrew Willis, who had developmental disabilities.
Investigators said evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that Willis’ sister, Deborah “Mae” Viola, 44, and his mother, Deborah Deloris Laraway, 62, failed to properly feed and care for him, resulting in his death.
As a result of the investigation, a Fentress County grand jury returned indictments charging both women with one count of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult.
TBI investigators also uncovered evidence that Viola allegedly billed the TennCare CHOICES Program for services she did not provide.
Because of those findings, Viola was additionally indicted on one count of TennCare fraud and one count of computer offense.
With assistance from the Franklin Police Department in Ohio, authorities located and arrested both women. TBI officials said Viola and Laraway are currently being held in the Warren County Jail in Ohio while awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.
Officials have not released additional details regarding the circumstances of Willis’ death or when the suspects are expected to be returned to Tennessee to face the charges.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
