(WNY News Now) – Three employees of The Grand at Mohawk Valley nursing home in Ilion have been arrested and charged in connection with the August 2025 death of a 34-year-old resident who authorities say was at high risk of choking.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrests and indictments of three staff members following an investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Charged are dietary aide Mary Stocking, 74, of Clinton; nurse Mara Lasher, 33, of Herkimer; and facility administrator Michael Sutter, 42, of Clinton.

According to the indictment, the resident had been transferred to The Grand three days before her death on Aug. 23, 2025. She had a medical condition that made swallowing solid food difficult and an eating disorder that caused compulsive eating. Her family and medical providers had reportedly instructed the facility to provide continuous one-on-one supervision.

Investigators allege that Sutter ended the resident’s one-on-one supervision after her first night at the facility, including during meals. Prosecutors say the resident was left unattended in the dining room during lunch on Aug. 23.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, the resident took a meatball from a food tray left by other residents and began choking. Investigators allege Stocking saw the resident in distress but did not call for assistance.

Lasher allegedly entered the dining area and saw the resident slumped face down on a table but did not check on her. The resident reportedly remained in the dining room for nearly 90 minutes before other staff members took her to her room and called 911. She was pronounced dead in her room.

All three defendants were arrested and arraigned in Herkimer County Court before Judge John H. Crandall.

Stocking faces a charge of second-degree manslaughter, along with other charges. Stocking, Lasher and Sutter are also charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person or an incompetent or physically disabled person and wilful violation of health laws, a misdemeanor.

If convicted of the top charges, Sutter and Lasher face maximum sentences of one and one-third to four years in state prison. Stocking faces a maximum sentence of eight and one-third to 25 years.

The Attorney General’s Office said the investigation was assisted by the Ilion Police Department and the Herkimer County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges are accusations. All three defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.