911 Caller Said Elderly Maryland Woman Fell Down the Stairs — But Now Caregiver is Accused of Murder

Fredrick Police Department Maria Vazquez-Perez

Authorities in Maryland have arrested a 35-year-old woman on a murder charge, alleging she severely beat an elderly woman before telling 911 dispatchers the victim had taken a bad fall down the stairs.

Maria Gloria Vazquez-Mebo, a live-in caregiver at the elderly woman's home, faces charges of first- and second-degree murder for her alleged role in the death of the 81-year-old victim.

The victim's family asked police not to reveal her name.

Police in Frederick made the arrest Monday, the day after the victim died.

A statement from police alleges they received a call at 6:42 p.m. on Sunday, and that the caller "reported that an elderly female had fallen down stairs."

EMTs were dispatched to the home, and pronounced the woman dead.

Investigators assigned to the case conferred with the coroner, who said the victim had sustained apparent head trauma and that she received the injury under "unusual circumstances."

According to the statement, the home was searched several times for evidence, and Vazquez-Mebo was interviewed by police.

"Vazquez-Mebo confessed to striking the victim multiple times with a blunt object," the statement alleges.

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No motive is known.

Vazquez-Mebo is being held without bond.

She has yet to enter pleas to the two counts against her and does not have an attorney of record who could comment on the allegations.