By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Rutland, IA – A Rutland woman turned herself in Monday on charges of adult abuse.
52-year-old Libby Palmer of Rutland has been charged with Intentional Dependent Adult Abuse, a Class C Felony, and Dependent Adult Abuse, a serious misdemeanor; after authorities say they discovered two adults in Rutland who were being neglected.
According to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the charges stem from Friday, May 2 at 7:52 a.m. when the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Ambulance was dispatched to 1897 Iowa Ave. for an adult male with sores on his body. When the ambulance and deputies arrived on scene, ambulance staff expressed concerns about the living conditions in the house and their belief that a dependent adult was being neglected.
Subsequently, a report was filed with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office says through a joint investigation, a second dependent adult in the residence was also identified and deemed to be neglected.
On Monday, May 12, Palmer turned herself into the Humboldt County Jail, posting a $11,000 cash bond and was released with a court date for her initial appearance before the magistrate.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the investigation by the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and the Humboldt County Attorney.