MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
KINGMAN COUNTY, Kan. — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Wednesday that a rural Kingman County woman has been sentenced to prison in connection with the abuse and neglect of her elderly mother, a case that ultimately led to the victim’s death.
Linda Oeding, 71, was sentenced to a total of 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of mistreatment of an elder person. The charges stem from the care of her 94-year-old mother, Betty Oeding.
According to court records, Linda Oeding had positioned herself as her mother’s sole caregiver and limited access from other family members, preventing them from visiting or checking on the victim.
In September 2025, Oeding called emergency services to report her mother was unresponsive. Authorities said she refused recommended medical care, including transport to the nearest hospital, and declined IV fluids, medications and life-saving resuscitation measures.
Medical professionals later documented the victim’s condition as severely emaciated, with advanced, infected pressure sores caused by prolonged immobility and neglect. Despite receiving treatment, the victim developed sepsis linked to her condition and living environment.
She was later transferred to hospice care, where she died on September 10, 2025.
Oeding entered a guilty plea on Jan. 16. At sentencing on March 11, the court ordered her to serve 32 months for abuse and an additional 8 months for neglect, to be served consecutively, for a total of 40 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The court also ruled that Oeding is prohibited from receiving any proceeds or benefits from her mother’s estate.
“Elders in Kansas deserve dignity, respect, and protection — especially from those entrusted with their care,” Kobach said in a statement. “My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who abuses or neglects vulnerable Kansans.”
Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme, who prosecuted the case alongside First Assistant Attorney General Stacy Edwards, emphasized the importance of vigilance in similar situations.
“Unfortunately, elder neglect often goes unnoticed and unreported—we are so grateful for the medical professionals and law enforcement teams in this case who took immediate action to care for the elder victim and document the mistreatment,” Domme said.
The case was investigated by the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.