ORLANDO — There has been a major development in a years-long Spectrum News Watchdog investigation.

Former professional guardian Rebecca Fierle has agreed to accept an open plea. This will give a Tampa judge the discretion to sentence Fierle on a single felony count of elder neglect.

The charge stems from the 2019 death of one of her wards, Steven Stryker, but blew open various investigations into Florida's problem-plagued guardianship program and lack of oversight.

Prosecutors say Fierle regularly filed Do Not Rescucitate orders on her wards, among other abuses.

Fierle's professional guardianship license has been permanently revoked.

A judge could sentence Fierle next month to as much as five years in prison. Although prison time is not guaranteed, prosecutors are pushing for it.

Spectrum News 13 and our media partner, Orlando Sentinel, spent years covering investigations into Fierle and lapses in the state's guardianship program. This reporting has led to multiple changes in state law.