Death of Ann Marie Smith due to NDIS neglect and legal proceedings against Integrity Care directors
Consensus Summary
The death of Ann Marie Smith, a 54-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, in April 2020 exposed severe neglect while she was under the care of Integrity Care SA, an NDIS provider. Smith was found in squalid conditions in her Kensington Park home after being confined to a cane chair for more than a year, leading to her death from malnutrition, septic shock, and organ failure. Former co-director Amy June Collins, 46, pleaded guilty to reckless conduct, while Smith’s carer, Rosa Maria Maione, was jailed for at least five years and three months in March 2022 for manslaughter by criminal neglect. The case against co-director Alison Maree Virgo was dropped, and Integrity Care was deregistered in April 2025. Both sources agree on the timeline of key events, including Collins’ upcoming sentencing hearing in September, but differ on whether Collins’ lawyer blamed the carer entirely or if Collins admitted failures in oversight. The family’s victim impact statements emphasize the need for stronger protections for vulnerable NDIS clients.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ann Marie Smith, a 54-year-old woman with cerebral palsy, died in April 2020 from malnutrition, septic shock, multiple organ failure, and complications from her condition.
- Smith was kept in a cane chair inside her Kensington Park home in Adelaide for more than a year before her death.
- Amy June Collins, a 46-year-old former co-director of Integrity Care SA, pleaded guilty to reckless conduct under the Work Health and Safety Act.
- Rosa Maria Maione, Smith’s disability carer, was jailed in March 2022 for at least five years and three months after pleading guilty to manslaughter by criminal neglect.
- A criminal case against the other former co-director, Alison Maree Virgo, was dropped.
- Integrity Care was deregistered as a company in April 2025.
- Collins will return to court in September for another pre-sentence hearing.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Collins was initially charged with criminal neglect in 2020, but that charge was dropped earlier this month.
- Collins faces a maximum penalty of five years behind bars.
- The criminal case against Integrity Care SA (ICSA) for criminal neglect and failure to comply with health and safety duty was dropped in March.
- Collins’ lawyer argued that Smith’s death was not caused by anything his client did, instead blaming the carer for failing to report Smith’s deteriorating health.
- The family expressed concern that neglect of this severity could occur elsewhere if oversight fails.
- The Disability Royal Commission described Smith’s death as shocking and sparked a series of inquiries.
- Collins admitted she should have ensured Integrity Care had a policy for health and capability assessments every 12 months for Smith.
- Collins admitted she should have ensured Smith’s carer was given information about how cerebral palsy impacted daily living and care needs.
- The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission withdrew civil proceedings against Integrity Care in July.
- The Collins matter returns to court on September 10 for further submissions.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states Collins was initially charged with criminal neglect in 2020, but 7NEWS states the charge was dropped on August 12.
- ABC states Collins’ lawyer argued Smith’s death was not caused by anything Collins did, while 7NEWS states Collins admitted she should have ensured assessments and proper carer training.
Source Articles
Family of NDIS client who died after serious neglect shares heartbreak
The uncle of Adelaide woman Ann Marie Smith, who died from severe neglect, has told a court he hopes his nightmares "frequent" the directors of her former NDIS provider.
‘She deserved dignity’: Family of Annie Smith share their anger over NDIS death
Relatives of a woman under who died after being found in squalid conditions say they hope no family ever suffers the same heartbreak.
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