A woman has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of her mother, the Des Moines Police Department said Thursday.
A DMPD investigation revealed that 70-year-old Nancy Glaza was "extremely dependent" on her daughter, 42-year-old Angela Gerdes for assistance with basic tasks and access to medical care. Poor living conditions in her residence only amplified her dependence as the home even lacked running water since 2021, police said.
DMPD found in its investigation that Gerdes had outright neglected her mother, which is believed to have induced Glaza's death.
DMPD and Des Moines Fire Department responded to a call of cardiac arrest at a home in the 5300 block of Urbandale Avenue in June 2023, where they found Glaza dead.
At the time of discovery, first responders stated that Glaza appeared to be emaciated and after examination, medics believed she had already been dead for multiple hours. Forensic autopsy revealed she only weighed 69 lbs. at the time of her death.
A Cocker Spaniel dog was also discovered in the residence in a similarly emaciated and neglected state. Police said the state was so poor it necessitated humane euthanasia.
After some investigation, it was discovered DMFD had responded to the home an hour and a half earlier, only to be turned away by Gerdes who said she was the only person in the residence.
As the forensic autopsy and investigation took place, authorities said Gerdes began to distance herself from detectives, which made attempts to locate her unsuccessful until she turned herself in at police headquarters on Thursday.
Gerdes is being held at the Polk County Jail on the following charges:
- Murder in the Second Degree
- Animal Neglect With Serious Injury Or Death