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Prosecutors say Tammy Lewis kept Magdeline Alvina Middlesworth’s remains in the bathroom of the home Lewis shared with her two children after the elderly woman died. Lewis has said her “superior,” Alan Bushey, told her God would bring the woman back to life.
Detectives say they believe Middlesworth died March 4. Social Security and annuity checks totaling $2,790 were deposited directly into an account she shared with Lewis after that date, according to an affidavit for search warrants for the homes of Lewis and Bushey.
Twenty-five checks were written on the account after Middlesworth died. The affidavit does not say who wrote the checks or for how much.
Investigators seized checkbooks, bank records and other financial records from the two homes over the weekend, according to court documents.
Lewis told the deputy who found the body she has Middlesworth’s power of attorney, and the older woman used all her money to support their six-member religious group, dubbed the Order of the Divine Will.
Lewis’ son told detectives Bushey warned him that he and his sister would have to go to public school and get jobs if Middlesworth’s body was found because she paid all the bills, according to a criminal complaint.
Juneau County District Attorney Scott Southworth declined Monday to say who wrote the checks. But he called the religious group a cult and said Bushey “absolutely” was the mastermind, luring people in with Roman Catholic doctrine and manipulating them for financial gain.
“That’s not legitimate religious expression. That’s cult activity. I’m certain people in Wisconsin can see the difference,” Southworth said.
Middlesworth’s friends and family told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she was from Washington state, but they were unsure who persuaded her to come to Wisconsin. Southworth said he didn’t know where Middlesworth was from or how she came to live with Lewis.
Investigators weren’t aware of Bushey’s group until Middlesworth’s body was found last week, Southworth said. Detectives aren’t certain how many people are members but have learned some apparently got wise to Bushey about a year ago and left.
Lewis, 35, and Bushey, 57, each face two counts of causing a child mental harm. Lewis also faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge.
Neither has been charged with financial fraud, but Southworth said additional counts could come this week or next. He said he has been in touch with federal prosecutors, who would handle Social Security violations.
Sheriff Brent Oleson said Monday a state Justice Department agent would help with the case’s financial aspects.
Online court records didn’t list an attorney for Bushey. Lewis’ attorney, Dan Berkos, asked Judge John P. Roemer during a hearing Monday for a competency evaluation for Lewis. Roemer agreed as Lewis, a thin woman with brown hair and glasses, dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
Berkos said afterwards he hadn’t learned much about the case yet. The allegations play well in the media, he said, but “it’s pretty easy to take shots” right now.
He took exception to Southworth branding the group a cult, saying almost any organized religion could be considered one.
“Clearly, there’s some religious basis in what they did,” Berkos said. “There’s a lot of religions that don’t believe in medical treatment.”
Authorities discovered Middlesworth’s body Wednesday after her sister asked the sheriff’s department to check on her.
Deputy Leigh Neville-Neil went to Lewis’ home in the town of Necedah, about 80 miles northwest of Madison. Lewis initially said Middlesworth was on vacation, but when pressed, she said she needed to call her “superior” first, the criminal complaint said. Lewis went inside, returned and let the deputy in. The house smelled of incense and hymns played on the stereo.
The deputy discovered Middlesworth’s remains on the toilet. The complaint described the body as a “pile” with a “horrific stench.”
Lewis told investigators Bushey, who also goes by Bishop John Peter, told her to leave Middlesworth’s body in the bathroom and pray for God to bring her back to life.
Lewis’ son told detectives Bushey told him demons were destroying Middlesworth’s appearance to make it look like she wouldn’t rise from the dead, the complaint said.
The sheriff has said those in the Lewis home had been using “makeshift” toilet facilities because of the situation in the one bathroom.
