MINEOLA, N.Y. — A 65-year-old man from Roosevelt has been indicted on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of his 85-year-old mother, while his sister faces charges for alleged abusive acts toward their mother in the weeks prior to her death, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
Michael Rainford McDougall is accused of placing his mother, Carmel McDougall, in a headlock and swinging her, causing her to fall and suffer a severe head injury that ultimately led to her death. McDougall, her primary caregiver, has been charged with Manslaughter in the Second Degree, among other felonies, after video footage reportedly captured the incident inside their home. His sister, Nichole McDougall Mullings, is charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person for allegedly physically restraining and threatening their mother on two occasions.
According to DA Donnelly, McDougall was arraigned on charges of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Vulnerable Elderly Person, Criminally Negligent Homicide, and additional counts of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person. He pleaded not guilty, and his bail was set at $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or a $1 million partially secured bond.
Mullings, 55, was arraigned on two counts of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person and was released to pre-trial services. Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on November 22, 2024.
Prosecutors allege that on September 12, police responded to a wellness check at the family’s Hudson Avenue home, where they found Carmel McDougall unresponsive. Video footage from the home’s internal NEST cameras reportedly showed Michael McDougall putting his mother in a headlock and swinging her, causing her to fall and hit her head on the floor. As she lay injured, McDougall allegedly threatened her to get up.
Carmel McDougall was transported to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a catastrophic brain bleed. She was placed on life support and later died on September 18.
Additionally, on August 30, Mullings allegedly restricted her mother’s movement and breathing on two separate occasions, acts also captured on video, according to the DA’s office.
DA Donnelly condemned the alleged actions of both siblings, stating, “Frustrated with their 85-year-old mother’s declining health, Michael McDougall and his sister, Nichole McDougall Mullings, allegedly took their anger out on her with physical violence and threats.” She added, “Carmel McDougall’s son and daughter failed her when she needed them most.”
If convicted, Michael McDougall faces up to 19 years in prison, while Mullings could face up to 1-1/3 to four years.