Becquer was sentenced this week to a total of 30 years in prison for financial abuse of an elderly person, abandoning or endangering an individual, and criminally negligent homicide. Arlington police have linked at least 20 deaths to facilities she operated.

Among the women whose deaths were linked to the facilities were Karen Walker and Esmeralda Tovar. Walker was 61 and had difficulty regulating her blood sugar, but her cousin Roger Simon said she had otherwise been doing well when she entered Becquer’s care.

Simon said Walker told him she wanted to leave the facility, but was not allowed to go home. He had planned to testify at Becquer’s trial and said he would have traveled to do so. Instead, he learned this week that Becquer had reached a plea agreement with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office.

Tovar’s sister, Mary Ann Gonzales, said Tovar had early-onset dementia and had been in Becquer’s care for about three weeks. Gonzales said her sister was still walking and talking when she entered the facility.

Both families, who lived outside the area, said they grew concerned about the care their relatives were receiving. Gonzales recalled being unable to speak with Tovar and deciding to drive to Arlington.

Simon said he believes Becquer should never be released. He said the plea deal and sentence brought the grief of losing Walker back with fresh intensity.

The families’ accounts underscore the lasting impact of the case for relatives who say they expected to have a chance to testify before a trial concluded. The available details do not specify the terms of the plea agreement beyond the charges and 30-year sentence.