La Cresta Woman, Husband Reindicted In Death Of Disabled Girl

MURRIETA, CA — Once again, a Riverside County criminal grand jury has returned an indictment against a husband and wife who are accused in the death of a disabled teen girl in their care facility that they operated out of their La Cresta Highlands home west of Murrieta.

On Friday, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced the unsealing Thursday of a 15-count grand jury indictment against 82-year-old Michelle Louise Morris-Kerin and 81-year-old Edward Lawrence “Larry” Kerin. Both were arraigned Thursday at Southwest Justice Center and entered pleas of not guilty.

Michelle Morris-Kerin was indicted on 15 counts involving multiple victims, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, dependent adult endangerment likely to cause great bodily injury or death, and lewd acts on dependent adults.

Her husband was indicted on nine total counts, also involving multiple victims, including involuntary manslaughter, child endangerment, dependent adult endangerment, and lewd acts on dependent adults.

A joint investigation into the couple began after the April 6, 2019, death of Diane "Princess" Ramirez. The 17-year-old girl was living at the Kerins' home at 40101 Calle Bandido where the couple operated a care facility, Morris Small Family Home. The Kerins allegedly provided full-time care for disabled children and adults — many of the residents were non-ambulatory and unable to speak.

Ramirez had cerebral palsy and other chronic health issues. She was wheelchair-bound and received nutrition through a feeding tube.

According to county records, Michelle Morris-Kerin did not seek medical attention the night before Diane's death, despite the girl's severe physical distress that included vomiting blood, eight to nine hours of pain, and inconsistent vital signs, according to prosecutors.

Instead, it's alleged that Kerin waited until morning to call 911. Diane died a short time after arriving at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar at 8:45 a.m. on April 6, 2019, county records show.

The joint investigation into the Kerins by Community Care Licensing, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and the Riverside County DA’s Office uncovered what was alleged by prosecutors to be several years of physical abuse and neglect of dependent children and adults in the home, along with sexual abuse against three dependent adults who had been placed in the home.

"The investigation revealed additional evidence that numerous other residents had been previously abused and neglected, the facility was not properly staffed for 24-hour care, and medical records were not properly maintained. Some of the adult dependent residents were found to lack the mental capacity to give consent but engaged in sexual activities facilitated and encouraged by both defendants," the DA's office said at the time.

Previously, the Kerins were arrested Aug. 5, 2021, at their home and a Riverside County criminal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment against the defendants. But on April 28, 2022, the court granted a motion by the defense to dismiss the murder charge against Michelle Morris-Kerin.

In the subsequent months, further investigation was conducted and new evidence was obtained, which prompted prosecutors to convene a new criminal grand jury to hear additional facts in the case. The findings led to the new indictment that was filed Nov. 20, according to the DA's office.

The newly unsealed indictment alleges ongoing physical abuse and neglect of dependent children and adults, along with the sexual abuse of three dependent adults who were under the care of the defendants.

At Thursday’s arraignment, prosecutors requested bail set for Michelle Morris-Kerin at $50,000, the figure that was previously set by the court. Her husband’s bail was set at $35,000, also the previously set amount. The defendants were released on their own recognizance.

On Thursday, Riverside County prosecutors also issued criminal protective orders to prohibit communication by the defendants with certain victims. The defendants are scheduled to return to court for a trial readiness conference on Jan. 26 at the Southwest Justice Center.

A title check showed the Kerins sold their 6,680-square-foot single-family home in the La Cresta Highlands community on Dec. 16, 2021, for $1,410,000. The 4.28-acre property is currently advertised as a rental with an asking of $7,800 per month.

According to Southern California News Group, the Kerins had other care facilities but the couple surrendered their license in 2019 following Diane's death; those in their care were placed elsewhere.

Angel Cadena, Diane's biological mother, had called for an investigation into the Kerins following her child's death. Diane was placed into foster care following Angel's eviction in 2018.

"You guys took her to protect her, but you failed to protect her," Cadena said of the decision to place Diane into foster care.