by | Published
NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas - Brandy Marie Doster, 54, of San Antonio, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a total of 35 years in prison for her role in the abuse and death of a disabled individual under her care.
In the 22nd District Court on October 6, 2025, Judge Bruce Boyer sentenced Doster to:
25 years for Injury to a Disabled Individual – Causing Serious Bodily Injury (which led to the victim's death).
10 years for Injury to a Disabled Individual – Causing Bodily Injury.
The sentences will run concurrently.
The case originated on May 21, 2023, when the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD) received a 911 call reporting a suspicious death.
Discovery: Doster's estranged daughter called police after Doster arrived at her home hysterical and claimed the victim was "sleeping" in the backseat of a car. Concerned, the daughter drove to the victim’s residence and found the body, wrapped in an emergency blanket, inside a vehicle parked in the garage.
Victim & Caregiver: The victim had suffered a traumatic brain injury years earlier and required full-time care. Doster, a longtime family friend but not a licensed caregiver, was hired to provide this care.
Pattern of Control: Detectives learned Doster increasingly isolated the victim from her family over time. Doster benefited financially, receiving a $$70,000$ annual salary, living expenses, and the use of the victim's vehicle. The victim's family, trusting Doster, even bought a home for Doster's relatives.
Doster's daughter provided detectives with details of the abuse, including seeing her mother tie the victim's hands and feet to furniture, hit and slap the victim, and shove a sock in the victim's mouth to silence screaming.
Doster initially claimed memory issues but eventually admitted to the abuse:
Cause of Death: The medical examiner determined the victim's death was caused by sepsis, resulting from a severe infection and necrosis stemming from an untreated, completely broken arm.
Admission: Doster admitted she was aware of the broken arm for approximately two weeks before the victim died but never sought medical care, claiming she intended to take the victim to the hospital after dropping off her dog in San Antonio—despite passing multiple hospitals along the way. She also admitted to tying the victim down and placing socks in her mouth.
The District Attorney's office gave special recognition to Detective David Schroeder of the NBPD for his thorough investigation. Assistant District Attorney Karlei Neufeld prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Texas.
