Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- A Nephi woman, Ruth Angela Hansen, faces charges of abusing her elderly stepfather.
- She is accused of restricting his access to food, communication and medical care.
- The man who uses a wheelchair lost over 50 pounds under her care, police say.
NEPHI — A Nephi woman has been charged with abusing her elderly stepfather by controlling his access to everything in her home, including food, medical care, where he was allowed to go in her house and who he talked to.
Ruth Angela Hansen, 39, was charged Monday in Juab County's 4th District Court with abuse of a vulnerable adult by isolation, a third-degree felony; and two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult, a class A misdemeanor.
According to charging documents, the man was placed in the care of his stepdaughter in May 2024 in Nephi. Court documents do not explain why he was placed in her custody and only indicate his age as over 65.
"(His) cellphone was taken away and his access to electronic devices was restricted. He did not have access to his daughter's contact information or his other friends and family. He was not allowed to speak about certain things and was told to 'shut up' on multiple occasions when trying to do so," the charges allege.
Investigators say the man's daughter was no longer allowed to visit and all of the few phone calls he was allowed to make were monitored.
"About this time, (his) daughter was informed that no medical care would be given to (her father) if he was sick and dental care would be denied except extractions," the charges state.
The man also claimed he was fed less than his 8-year-old grandson.
"He was only allowed to eat what was served and could not ask for extra. He was not allowed to access food and lost of in excess of 50 pounds," according to the charging documents.
By October of 2024, when the man was finally able to talk to his daughter, he told her in "whispered tones" that Hansen locks him in his room and restricts his access to the home, the charges say.
"He was only allowed out to use the restroom. Adult Protective Services reported that (he) was in a wheelchair and that there was a pet gate with bike locks on it preventing (him) from utilizing the rest of the house. (He) reported that he was yelled at if found in 'restricted' areas of the house. Adult Protective Services reported that if there was a fire or emergency, he would likely not make it out of the house," the charges state.
