A Raymore man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter for the death of his mother that occurred three years ago.

Norman Richey, 61, of Raymore is being charged with one count of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of his mother, Ruth Richey. In March 2019, emergency crews were dispatched to Ms. Ruth’s home on Poseidon Way in reference to an elderly abuse investigation.

Cass County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Jennings filed the felony complaint on March 15 in the county’s 17th Judicial Circuit Court. Richey was arrested on March 30 with a bond of $5,000. He posted bond on April 2.

On the morning of March 3, 2019, an EMT with the South Metropolitan Fire Department visited a home on Poseidon Way for a “lift assist,” according to a probable cause statement. Upon arrival, the EMT found Ms. Richey, 81, in a back bedroom. She was on the floor covered in feces.

According to court documents, Ms. Richey’s clothing had dried, causing it to stick to the carpet. Feces was discovered on the floor in the same room.

The EMT was concerned about Ms. Richey’s health after determining that she had been left in that position for several hours, perhaps even a full day, with open wounds on her arms and legs.

A Raymore police officer confirmed with a Belton Regional Medical Center nurse that Ms. Richey was suffering from several infected sores all over her body. The nurse also stated that Ms. Richey was suffering from sepsis.

Later that afternoon, another Raymore police officer spoke with Norman Richey and his daughter, Grace Richey. Both told the officer that no one had been assigned as Ms. Richey’s power of attorney. However, Norman and Grace stated they were both living at the residence on Poseidon Way and were responsible for taking care of her.

Norman and Grace said they took care of Ms. Richey by giving her sponge baths and providing her with medications. However, both claim that Ms. Richey often refused her medication for diabetes and a heart condition. They told the Raymore officer that Ms. Richey last saw a medical doctor three months prior.

Ms. Richey was pronounced dead on April 15, 2019. According to the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s report, sepsis was the immediate cause of her death. Other conditions included malnutrition, diabetes mellitus and obesity.

The felony complaint accuses Norman Richey of “failing to provide care for (Ms. Richey), resulting in (Ms. Richey) developing sepsis, and did so with criminal negligence in that (Norman Richey) was voluntarily assuming care of (Ms. Richey) and failed to seek medical help.”