Aug. 25, 2003 -- Department of Human Services Office of the Inspector General's hotline receives an allegation that Mary Jane Duffy is being locked in her apartment. She refuses to consent to an investigation.

Sept. 28, 2007 -- OIG hotline received an allegation of mental verbal abuse and financial exploitation of Mary Jane Duffy. Her husband, Joseph Duffy, said that he wished his wife had died in the hospital, but he needed her income to pay the bills. There is a second call alleging that Mary Jane Duffy had bruises on her legs and arm. She told investigators that Joseph Duffy was responsible. Abuse, physical/mental and financial exploitation allegations substantiated. An OIG spokeswoman has said the agency's failure to report this is under investigation.

Jan. 29, 2009 -- OIG receives an allegation of physical abuse against Mary Jane Duffy. The caller said that Joseph Duffy wanted to get rid of Mary Jane Duffy, but he needed her benefit to pay his bills. The caller also said Joseph was handcuffing her to a wheelchair and putting a baby gate in the hallway to keep her away from the kitchen. Abuse by confinement allegations were substantiated.

July 29, 2009 -- Caller tells OIG investigator that Mary Jane Duffy was being neglected because her husband had taken her walker, causing her to fall and be injured. Before the investigation was complete, Joseph Duffy placed Mary Jane Duffy in the hospital. During an interview in the hospital, Mary Jane Duffy told the investigator that she was happy with her impending placement into a nursing home and didn't want to go home. Investigator finds that Mary Jane Duffy no longer eligible for services because she no longer lives at home and closes her case without investigating.

Aug. 3, 2009 -- Mary Jane Duffy goes to a rehabilitation hospital.

Sept. 9, 2009 -- Mary Jane Duffy transferred to a nursing home.

Oct. 16, 2009 -- Joseph Duffy comes to the nursing home waving a power of attorney document. He takes his wife back home, even though she repeatedly told nursing home personnel that she didn't want to go.

Aug. 23, 2011 -- Brookfield police receive a call from Heather O'Hara, an elder abuse investigator. They found an emaciated Mary Jane Duffy, suffering from 15 bedsores, including four that were down to the bone. She was taken to a Chicago-area hospital where she died nine days later on Sept. 1.

July 12, 2012 -- Joseph Duffy is charged with two counts of felony abuse or neglect of an elderly person or person with a disability in connection with wife's death and held in $75,000 bail at the Cook County Jail. He has since bonded out.