News

Released: October 16, 2015 - Friday, 05:09 PM

Dependent Adult Neglect Investigation

Contact: Tony CipollaPhone: (805) 781-4547Date and time of incident: 10-15-15, Approximately 2:30 PMPlace of Occurrence: 200 block Calle Del Sol, Nipomo Victim Information: N/ASuspect Information: Susanne Wilch Krout, 65, Nipomo Thomas John Anderson, 30, NipomoOn 9-23-15, Deputies were called to Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria on a report of a 28-year-old female victim who had been transported to that facility by ambulance. Paramedics, who transported the woman, had found her on the floor of a home in the 200 block of Calle Del Sol in Nipomo. Medical staff at the hospital determined the victim was malnourished and covered in her own urine and feces. Staff suspected the woman was a victim of neglect and the Sheriff's Office was called to investigate.
Sheriff's Detectives discovered the victim was a 28-year-old dependent adult who had a rare medical condition in which she required care for eating, drinking and using the restroom. During the course of the investigation, Detectives also learned that the victim had fallen on the floor of the bathroom and had been left there for several days by her caregivers until she was transported to the hospital. The investigation revealed this was not an isolated incident and was a pattern of neglect and abuse for the last few months.
On 10-15-15, Detectives arrested the caregivers, 65-year-old Susanne Krout and 30-year-old Thomas Anderson, both of Nipomo. Krout and Anderson were both charged with elder/dependent adult abuse likely to create great bodily injury.
The victim is recovering at a local medical facility. The investigation is continuing. If anyone has additional information on this case, they are asked to call the Sheriff's Detective Division at 805-781-4500.