Woman Turns Herself in for Depriving Medical Care, Financially Exploiting Elderly Father

Police said late Friday afternoon that Mary Jo Dahms, 45, of West Des Moines turned herself into authorities on warrants for elder abuse and first-degree theft in a case authorities have been investigating since February.

Dahms is accused of depriving medical care to her 77-year-old father and financial exploitation of more than $10,000, West Des Moines Police Lt. Jim Barrett aid in a statement.

The alleged offenses occurred between May 2010 and February 2013. Dahms was her father’s primary caregiver and had power of attorney over his affairs.

Her father has since been moved to a central Iowa nursing home, according to the incident report..

Dahms was arrested, booked and released on $15,000 bond. First-degree theft is a Class C felony and adult abuse is a Class D felony.