A state appeals court has denied the appeal of a Monroe County man who was convicted of third-degree murder for neglecting a disabled woman who later died.

The Superior Court ruled against an appeal filed by John Tedesco, formerly of Saylorsburg, and currently a resident of State Correctional Institute - Retreat.Tedesco is currently serving 14 to 28 years in connection with the death of a mentally disabled woman.Tedesco and his wife, Tina, were both convicted of third-degree murder, neglect of a care dependent person, theft and conspiracy.They were accused of chronically neglecting a 70-year-old disabled woman while stealing money from a trust fund set up for her care.Prosecutors said the Tedescos took $3,300 a month from Barbara Rabins for a dozen years but failed to care for her. They said the woman was left in her own urine and feces and lost more than 100 pounds in a year.John Tedesco took the stand to testify that he and his wife did their best to care for Rabins, but struggled to get needed help and health insurance coverage.The arrest report states that on the day of the search, John Tedesco told investigators that he met Rabins in 1988 when he was an apartment manager where she lived at the time.He said Rabins moved in with him and his wife in 1999 and was living with them at the Ross Township address since 2006. He also said he referred to Rabins as his "aunt."Tedesco also told troopers Rabins suffered a stroke in 2010 and spent time in a care facility, but that she couldn't afford it because of a problem with her medical insurance. He said that was when he and his wife had Rabins move in with them.He said they knew she needed more care, but Rabins refused it, and following the stroke became belligerent and would no longer allow the couple to properly care for her.Rabins died in 2011 at age 70.John and Tina Tedesco were indicted after a lengthy grand jury investigation.