DALLAS, N.C. — Two years before a vulnerable 23-year-old's death, the courts took action to protect another non-verbal adult in the same Gaston County home, worried about his safety.

Despite sworn witness statements alleging abuse and neglect, a past police investigation and a hearing officer revoking Marlo Wallace's longtime guardianship of a different dependent adult, Aaliyah Fortner was placed in Wallace's care earlier this year.

Gastonia police say Wallace and another woman abused Fortner in the weeks before she died.

The Gastonia Police Department arrested Wallace and Vera Williams last week . In addition to abuse charges, Wallace is also accused of concealing Fortner's death. During their first court appearance Monday , District Attorney Travis Page said investigators were able to

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