‘Literally skin and bones’: Docs allege man starved mother to death

GREENCASTLE, Ind. — A man is accused of starving his mother to death after “living and taking care of her for several years,” according to court documents.

Per a probable cause affidavit, 51-year-old Randy S. Haltom of Greencastle failed to take care of his mother, Sandra Haltom, or bring her to a doctor for further help with her eating issues. Sandra’s autopsy report lists malnutrition as her cause of death.

“Sandra’s deceased body was literally skin and bones,” the court documents reported.

According to the affidavit, an officer from the Greencastle Police Department was called around 10:43 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2024, to a residence in the 700 block of Castleton Drive. When the officer arrived, he spoke with Randy, who had told the officer he had found his mother dead in her room.

Police then reported that Sandra had “a mummified appearance” and noted her malnutrition.

Randy then told the officer that his mother had several health issues. According to court documents, Randy said one of his mother’s ailments had to do with her thyroid.

Per court records, Randy told police he had tried to get Sandra to eat and drink the night before, but was unable to do so. Court docs report that Randy then stated he put his mother to bed around 6 p.m., planning to take her to the hospital the following morning. However, when he later checked on her, she had died.

Police then spoke with one of Sandra’s doctors, the documents indicate. Her last doctor’s visit was reportedly in February of that year, where she was said to have weighed 105 pounds, appeared malnourished and was anemic “along with other issues.”

Court records indicate that the same doctor later examined Sandra’s body and noted that there was “significant deterioration” to her body between February and December.

In a further investigation into Randy and Sandra’s home, court docs reported GPD found sippy cups of water next to Sandra’s bed. Upon inspection, those cups reportedly had mold in their lids.

Following this, court records indicate that GPD spoke with an ex of one of Randy’s relatives. This ex allegedly told police that Randy informed a relative about Sandra’s death, instructing the relative to “keep (their) f***ing mouth shut” and not tell police about the incident.

That relative later told police they “didn’t understand why Randy didn’t call for help and that he didn’t have to care for Sandra alone.”

Then, in an autopsy, Sandra was discovered to have no solids in her stomach or intestines. During this autopsy, a doctor reportedly pulled bandages off Sandra’s skin, and some of her skin came off with the bandages.

When police spoke to Randy, they reportedly asked him why he had not taken Sandra to a doctor since February. According to court documents, he answered that “they had not called.”

According to court documents, Randy then said that Sandra “seemed fine.” During the same interview, however, Randy also told police “I know she looked bad and horrible.”

Per online court records, no official charges have been filed against Randy. Final charging decisions will come from the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office.

Court documents indicate that police arrested Randy on a preliminary charge of neglect of a dependent.