Isaiah Crocker allegedly neglected by carer in lead up to death

The allegedly “inhumane” treatment of a young man who suffered from a rare disease may have led to his premature death, his family say.

Isaiah Crocker who died from rare degenerative disease called Friedrichs Ataxia, was allegedly neglected by his carer of eleven years, his family claims.

The family of a young man who died from a rare degenerative disease claimed his carer neglected him to the point where he was living in a unit filled with dog poo.

Isaiah Crocker, 23, died on October 10 from Friedreich’s ataxia, a rare, inherited disorder that causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

Isaiah was diagnosed with Friedreich’s at the age of eight, a disease which affects one person in every 100,000.

Those who are diagnosed with Friedreich’s have a life expectancy of 20 years post diagnosis. Isaiah lived five years less than typically expected.

His mother, Sheree Schwencke and his older sister, Emily Crocker, said his life was cut short due to the alleged neglect of his carer, who Isaiah had known for 11 years.

Ms Crocker recalled on a trip to Ocean Grove to visit Isaiah last Christmas, he had an array of cuts on his face, long unkept nails and the unit he lived in was littered with the dog poo of his beloved companion dog Franklin.

Isaiah Crocker with his companion dog Franklin. Picture: Supplied

“He was scratching himself in his sleep, there was no toilet paper, his sheets were disgraceful and there was poo in the unit from his dog,” Ms Crocker said.

Ms Schwenke said the carer had a “big hold” over Isaiah, and moved him away from their family.

Isaiah, who grew up in Echuca, lived in Bendigo, Geelong and Ocean Grove in recent years with his carer, as he was “taken further away” from the family.

The family also allege that Isaiah was not taken to routine doctor’s appointments, and in July was taken to ICU as he was suffering from kidney failure.

The carer also allegedly told Isaiah’s NDIS support co-ordinator that he wanted nothing to do with his family.

Isaiah Crocker was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia when he was eight.

The family were tipped off about the neglected treatment of Isaiah by one of his other carer’s.

Ms Schwenke and Ms Crocker were also not sure when the alleged neglect began, as the carer had initially been “very promising”, before taking “took a hold” over Isaiah’s life.
The family said the lucrative nature of the industry may have led to Isaiah’s alleged neglect.

“$1600 a night during the week, $2400 on the weekend is how much was charged,” Ms Schwenke said.

Both Ms Schwenke and Ms Crocker said they planned to report the carer’s alleged treatment to the NDIS.

The family also said it was a “failure of the NDIS” and that there was “no accountability”.

Isaiah, who was recently cremated in a service, was a big gaming fan and loved horror movies, particularly the Halloween movies with antagonist Michael Myers.

Isaiah loved horror movies and anything to do with horror. Picture: Supplied

His family remembered him as a “very funny, very dry” young man who was tough and refused to let his disease get the better of him.

He loved his dog Franklin, who was named after the Grand Theft Auto character.

The carer said they would not be making a comment when the Herald Sun reached out to him.

Isaiah’s support co-ordinator from the NDIS and the carer that tipped the family off were also contacted for comment.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.