Montpelier Dad And Companion Deny Charges In Son's Bed-Sore Death

BARRE, VT — Last year, Jeffrey A. Kittredge II, 20, died of septic shock caused by infected bed sores in which his skin was "rotting away," authorities said. Last week, Jeffrey Kittredge, 51, of Montpelier, and his companion Jennifer Cote, 42, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and Medicare fraud in the death of his severely disabled son.

Kittredge and Cote were caregivers and received federal benefits for caring for the younger Kittredge, who suffered from spina bifida and a brain development birth defect and needed around-the-clock care, The Times Argus reported. He was hospitalized with bed sores in early 2016, but the elder Kittredge told authorities he thought the sores were getting better.

Kittredge and Cote remain free on bail. There are no attorneys listed for either Kittredge or Cote.

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