Judge orders mental health counseling for Nancy Allen in elder abuse case

GARDNER – The case of former Petersham Selectboard Chair Nancy Allen was continued without finding for two years following her appearance in Gardner District Court Tuesday morning, Oct. 21.

Allen, who was charged with permitting injury to an elderly or disabled person, was ordered by Judge James Haddad to undergo mental health counseling and complete 50 hours of community service. She will be on probation for the next two years.

The charge stems from an incident on Feb. 18, 2023. Allen allegedly allowed her then-boyfriend, Charles Crowley III, to remain on the floor for two and a half days after he slid out of his wheelchair in the home the two shared at 17 Common St. in Petersham. Even though he was unable to get himself up off the floor, Allen claimed he would not allow her to call for assistance.

Court records say Charles Crowley spoke with his brother Paul Crowley the following day and never mentioned he was lying on the floor, only that he had a cold. In a subsequent call on Feb. 20, Allen reportedly told Paul she continued to check on Charles, but that he refused assistance because he is a “proud individual.” Paul told her to call 911 but according to the police report, she did not do so until the morning of Monday, Feb. 21.

After responding to the scene, Petersham Police Chief Peter Buck filed a report with Elder Services, as did the EMTs who responded. The investigation was referred to State Police Officer Ryan MacLean, who received a report of elder abuse on March 1, 2023.

Charles Crowley, who was 65 at the time of the incident, spent 19 months in various hospitals and physical rehabilitation facilities before dying while undergoing treatment as Mass General Hospital in Boston in September 2024.

Charles’ sister Ginger, speaking remotely from her home in Los Angeles, told the court, “My brother suffered needlessly. He never got out of the hospital. He laid for two and half days covered in his own feces and waste.”

Ginger said that when she sees a homeless individual lying on the street, she sees her brother’s face.

“This woman, who professed to love him, didn’t help him,” she said. “My brother was left on the floor like a piece of garbage.”

Paul Crowley of Lexington, Charles Crowley’s younger brother, said, “This whole situation could have been avoided entirely. A simple call in a timely manner would have avoided this. Simple human decency required a call for help.”

Noting he was unaware of his brother’s predicament until two days after the incident, Paul said, “Nancy and I never had a bad relationship. I don’t know why she didn’t call me. I have many questions and I’d like to get some answers.”

Allen’s attorney, Michael Hussey, told Haddad that this was one of the most tragic cases he has seen in his career. He said Allen loved Charles Crowley to a fault.

“We’re here because he regrettably told her what not to do,” said Hussey. “Clearly, doing as he wanted was a serious mistake.”

Worcester County Assistant District Attorney Jay Shenk told the court that Allen had “recklessly disregarded” Charles Crowley’s condition which, he claimed, led directly to his death. The state, he said, asked that Allen be incarcerated for 18 months. Allen had waived her right to a jury trial.

Responding to the state’s recommendation for jail time, Hussey noted that Allen is not charged with involuntary manslaughter.

“There is no proof that her lack of action led directly to (Crowley’s) death,” he said, adding that Allen has no criminal record. “She is accused of being reckless for abiding by his wishes.”

“Obviously, they will never forgive her for what happened,” said Hussey regarding the words of Charles Crowley’s siblings. “She may never forgive herself.”

Allen stood with her head down and remained silent throughout most of the hearing, other than to answer an occasional question from the judge.

Asked if he was satisfied with the judge’s ruling, Paul Crowley told the Athol Daily News, “No. It’s ridiculous. The glaring reality is she had a moral duty to do what is right, but she did nothing. No one was holding a gun to her head.

“He was my older brother, and I looked up to him,” he continued. “I don’t know how anyone can say that what happened didn’t lead directly to his death.”

Before the start of Tuesday’s hearing, Allen told the Athol Daily News, “This is a horrible way for a 30-year loving relationship to end. I am deeply, deeply sorry for the way things turned out. I honestly wish I had done things differently. I loved Charles.”

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.