BEAVERTON, Ore. — A Washington County judge sentenced a 44-year-old woman to nearly five years in prison after she admitted to concealing her son’s death for months while continuing to collect thousands of dollars in state benefits intended for his care.
The Case Against Melissa Lappin
On Tuesday, Melissa Lappin was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple felonies earlier this summer. The charges included abuse of a corpse, first-degree theft, and first-degree forgery.
Prosecutors said Lappin allowed the body of her son, 26-year-old Eric Lappin, to remain inside a bedroom of their Beaverton home for five months after his death in May 2024, all while she continued to accept payments from the state.
Washington County Deputy District Attorney Christina Luedtke told the court that Lappin collected nearly $24,000 in benefits during that time, forging documents and deceiving state agencies to maintain the payments.
Discovery of the Body
The case came to light in the fall of 2024 when Lappin’s father, alarmed after not seeing his grandson for several months, confronted her at her home.
“He demanded to see his grandson,” Luedtke explained during sentencing. “Instead of his grandson, he found a decomposed body.”
Authorities later confirmed that Eric had died months earlier. Lappin told investigators that he had choked to death and that she discovered him the following day.
A Vulnerable Son
Eric Lappin lived with multiple disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism, and was nonverbal. His mother served as his primary caregiver, Luedtke said, often relying on state caregiver benefits to support them both.
Defense attorney Ryan Corbridge argued that Lappin’s choices stemmed not from greed but from fear and denial. “This was a relationship that did not go the natural course,” Corbridge said. “Instead, it remained in that infant stage for 26 years.”
He told the court that Lappin was diagnosed with depression and bereavement disorder following her son’s death and that she had recently stabilized her life by working at Columbia Sportswear for 10 months, where she earned recognition for her performance.
Lies to Family and Friends
Throughout the five months after Eric’s death, Lappin misled friends and relatives, insisting he was alive. She even forged documents to convince state agencies that she was continuing to provide care for him.
Prosecutors emphasized the deliberate nature of her deception. “She proceeded to lie and forge documents in order to collect those government benefits,” Luedtke said.
Lappin’s Apology to the Court
When given a chance to address the judge, Lappin expressed remorse. “I am filled with deep regret for the actions that have brought me here,” she said.
She admitted her decisions were “selfish,” adding:
“I can’t claim to fully understand how I ended up making the choices I did, but I don’t expect anyone else to either. But I know they were wrong and I know they hurt the person I love most in this world. Even after he was gone, I apologized to Eric numerous times a day.”
Lappin told the court she was not making excuses and pledged to take responsibility. She also agreed to repay the money she wrongfully obtained.
Judge Rejects Probation
Circuit Judge Rebecca Guptill ultimately rejected Corbridge’s request for probation, citing both the seriousness of the offense and Lappin’s past criminal history.
“I can’t begin to understand how that happened and how, during that timeframe, you continued to accept the money,” Guptill said, referring to the 105 days Eric’s body remained in the home.
Guptill acknowledged the family’s pain but emphasized that the case was ultimately about Eric. “This is just an unfortunate circumstance. I feel badly for everyone’s loss here. At the end of the day, this is about Eric.”
The judge also noted Lappin’s prior convictions for animal neglect (2003) and passing a bad check (2006), calling them evidence of a pattern of dishonesty.
Emotional Courtroom Scene
As deputies placed Lappin in handcuffs and led her out of the courtroom to begin serving her sentence, her family members wept openly.
“I love you,” one relative called out.
“Eric will be with you,” another added.
The emotional scene underscored the tragic nature of the case: a vulnerable young man’s death, a mother’s poor choices, and a family left grieving not only the loss of Eric but also the downfall of Melissa.
Wider Implications
The case highlights the challenges faced by families caring for adults with profound disabilities. Prosecutors acknowledged that Melissa Lappin had been her son’s primary caregiver for years. However, they argued that her actions following his death — the concealment, deception, and continued collection of benefits — crossed legal and moral lines.
Defense attorneys framed her behavior as that of a mother paralyzed by grief and mental health struggles, unable to confront the reality of her son’s death. But the court made clear that her choices had lasting consequences, both for her family and for public trust in state support systems.
Sentence and Restitution
With her guilty plea and sentencing complete, Lappin will serve four years and nine months in prison. She is also required to repay the nearly $24,000 she unlawfully received.
Judge Guptill concluded the hearing by reiterating the central issue. “This is about Eric,” she said — a reminder that beyond the fraud and legal violations, a young man with special needs was denied the dignity of a proper farewell for more than three months.
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