A woman from California is facing murder charges following the discovery of the body of a 59-year-old man with cerebral palsy, whom she was allegedly responsible for caring for.

According to a report by KCRA, the family of Richard McClintic became concerned after they were unable to contact him for over a month. Their worries intensified when they started receiving messages from his Facebook account that seemed out of character. When the family attempted to visit him, Christina Cowens, the woman reportedly caring for McClintic, denied them access to his apartment.

In response, the family requested a welfare check from the police on October 25. However, officers were unable to locate McClintic during their initial visit. It was only after returning with a search warrant two weeks later that authorities found his body.

Christina Cowens, aged 41, now faces multiple charges, including murder, making false statements to an officer, unlawful disposal of human remains, grand theft, and attempted concealment of a death.

During a recent court appearance, Cowens’ attorney requested a postponement, resulting in a rescheduled court date set for November 24.

“To know that someone is capable of doing this to a disabled person in my uncle’s condition is just outrageous,” said Ryan Klagenberg, McClintic’s nephew.

Klagenberg said that Cowens had been his uncle’s caretaker for years, KOVR reported, but in July, he posted on Facebook that he was seeking a new caretaker.

It was around that time that Cowens was arraigned on embezzlement charges, KCRA reported, but it’s not clear if that case had anything to do with McClintic.