GASTONIA, N.C. — Police in North Carolina arrested two people Friday after the death of a young woman with disabilities. Both are accused of hurting 23-year-old Aaliyah Fortner , leading up to her death.

Court records show Marlo Wallace and Vera Williams are charged with patient abuse and neglect and assaulting a person with a disability. In addition, Wallace is charged with concealing Fortner's death.

An arrest warrant states, on Oct. 24, 2025, Wallace struck Fortner "about the head and body with her hands and possible unknown weapon." Court records state that earlier that month, on Oct. 2, Wallace assaulted Fortner on multiple occasions by hitting her "with objects, pushing her, using a taser on Aaliyah, kicking Aaliyah and stomping on Aaliyah's head."

Police previously said Fortner

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