VANCOUVER, Wash. — Authorities say a Clack County man let his elderly father die of malnutrition, leaving the body to decompose, while he drained the dead man’s bank account.
The Columbian reported that 45-year-old Ronald Ahlquist is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter, first-degree criminal mistreatment among other accusations. He appeared in Clark County court on Friday and is being held on a $750,000 bail.
Prosecutors said Ronald Ahlquit’s father, Norman, died in late 2013. His body was discovered in a van when Ronald Ahlquist asked a friend to help him transport him to the coroner’s office.
According to autopsy results, the 75-year-old man died of malnutrition, but dementia and neglect were underlying contributors. He weighed 85 pounds at the time of the autopsy.
Charging documents said that before and after his father’s death, Ronald Ahlquist withdrew money for his personal use from his father’s bank account, where his father’s Social Security benefits were automatically deposited each month, and used his debit card for alcohol and cigarette purchases.
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Information from: The Columbian, http://www.columbian.com
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