Rochester Mother Accused of Starving Disabled Adult Son to Death While Stealing His Food Stamps

A Rochester mother and her boyfriend have been charged in the death of her 33-year-old son with developmental disabilities after he was found severely malnourished in a St. Paul Street apartment in February. Police allege Andrea Livers, 58, and Lancysa Harris, 42, restrained Timothy Green and deprived him of adequate food and water before his death.

Rochester police responded to a 911 call at 125 St. Paul St. on Feb. 17 and found Green dead on the floor of an apartment. Police said he was naked, appeared emaciated and had bruises across his body, including around his wrists and ankles.

Investigators said Green weighed about 88 pounds when he was found. Rochester Police Capt. Frank Umbrino said Green had weighed about 130 pounds around June 2024, when police say his circumstances began to change.

A search of the apartment where Green was found uncovered handcuffs, barbells, home-gym weights and what police described as an unusual amount of cleaning supplies. Police also said they found no clothing, bedding or other personal belongings belonging to Green inside the apartment.

Rochester Mother and Boyfriend Face Murder, Kidnapping Charges

Livers and Harris were taken into custody on Sept. 15 on a sealed indictment warrant. The indictment was unsealed the following day, and both were charged with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.

Police said the alleged abuse occurred between Jan. 19 and Feb. 17. Investigators allege Green had been physically restrained with handcuffs and home-gym weights.

Detectives also reviewed surveillance footage covering about 45 days before his death and said Green was not seen entering or leaving the apartment during that period. Police said only Livers and Harris were seen coming and going.

In July, the Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office classified Green's manner of death as homicide and listed the cause as severe dehydration and failure to thrive in a setting of probable restraint, according to police. A medical classification of homicide describes the circumstances surrounding a death and does not itself establish criminal guilt.

Police said detectives later recovered evidence from a mobile phone that supported the medical examiner's findings concerning restraint.

Green was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and lived there with his father and stepmother before moving to Rochester after his father died in 2023. Police said Green had developmental disabilities and could handle some basic tasks independently but required assistance with more complex aspects of daily life.

Authorities said Livers had previously lost custody of Green because of what police described as 'abuse-related issues.' The underlying custody records were not available in the material reviewed.

Police Allege SNAP Benefits Were Used by Couple

Around June 2024, Harris became the designated payee for Green's Social Security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, according to police. Investigators said Green stopped attending medical and other appointments around the same period.

Police allege Livers and Harris used Green's SNAP benefits for themselves rather than to provide food for him. Authorities have not publicly specified the amount of benefits involved.

An investigation into the disbursement of Green's Social Security and SNAP benefits remains ongoing with federal authorities. The benefit investigation is separate from the criminal charges publicly announced in connection with Green's death and alleged restraint.

Green's stepmother, Marbrey Green, has said relatives struggled to reach him in the months before his death and became concerned after speaking with him in December. She described him as friendly and well known in his community.

Livers and Harris are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 23 at 9:30 a.m. It was not immediately clear from the information available whether either defendant had retained a lawyer available to comment on the allegations.