This heartbreaking elder abuse case from Spivey, Kansas—a tiny town 50 miles southwest of Wichita—ended with Linda Oeding, 71, sentenced this month to 40 months in prison (32 for mistreatment + 8 for neglect, consecutive) after pleading guilty in January to two elder mistreatment counts. Her 94-year-old mother, Betty Oeding, died from prolonged neglect under her sole “care.”
The Neglect
Linda positioned herself as Betty’s only caregiver, blocking family visits/check-ins as her mom wasted away. On September 5, 2025, Linda called 911 for unresponsiveness but rejected EMS offers of nearby hospital transport, IVs, meds, or resuscitation—insisting on the distant Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (nearly an hour away).
EMS noted malnourishment and filthy conditions. At the hospital, Betty was severely emaciated, unwashed, with advanced infected bedsores from immobility; she developed sepsis and died in hospice five days later.
Arrest and Outcome
Sheriff’s deputies spotted neglect signs September 11; KBI investigated. Linda was arrested September 12 on heavier charges (including first-degree murder), later plea-bargained down. AG Kris Kobach stressed elders deserve protection from trusted caregivers.
Deputy AG Jessica Domme praised medics/law enforcement for spotting it. A betrayal by family this cruel is unforgivable—how can we better monitor isolated seniors?
