Kobach’s office obtains prison sentence for Kingman County woman

for abuse and neglect of her elderly mother

TOPEKA – (April 1, 2026) – Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach today announced that Linda Oeding, 71, of rural Kingman County, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for the abuse and neglect of her elderly mother, Betty Oeding, 94.

 “Elders in Kansas deserve dignity, respect, and protection — especially from those entrusted with their care,” Kobach said. “My office will continue to hold accountable anyone who abuses or neglects vulnerable Kansans."

Oeding had positioned herself as her mother’s sole caregiver and isolated the victim by preventing other family members from visiting or checking on her. In September 2025, when Oeding called Kingman County EMS to report her mother as unresponsive, Oeding refused transport to the nearest hospital and instead insisted her mother transport to a hospital nearly an hour away. Oeding also refused IV fluids, medications, and life-saving resuscitation measures on behalf of her mother.

 Medical professionals described the elderly woman’s shocking state: severely emaciated, covered in advanced, infected pressure sores from prolonged immobility, and unwashed after extended neglect. Despite receiving treatment, the victim developed sepsis from deep wounds and poor living conditions. She was transferred to hospice for comfort care and passed away on September 10, 2025.

 On January 16, Oeding pleaded guilty to two counts of mistreatment of an elder person. At her sentencing on March 11, the Court ordered her to serve 32 months for the abuse and 8 months imprisonment for neglect to be served consecutively for a total of 40 months incarceration with the Kansas Department of Corrections. Oeding also is barred from receiving any proceeds or benefits from her mother’s estate.

 “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,” said Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme.

The Kingman County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations investigated the case. Deputy Attorney General Jessica Domme and First Assistant Attorney General Stacy Edwards prosecuted the case.

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