Salt Lake County woman charged with manslaughter in mother’s death from neglect
Sep 9, 2025, 10:00 PM
The Salt Lake City Police Department said officers are investigating an "industrial accident" that killed one person on Tuesday afternoon at the Rio Grande Depot. (Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
(Nathanial Gillis, KSL TV)
According to charging documents released by District Attorney Sim Gill, Meers is accused of recklessly causing her mother’s death through severe neglect. The case dates back to March, when Cottonwood Heights Police responded to a welfare check at the family’s home. What officers with the Cottonwood Heights Police Department and paramedics discovered led to felony charges.
The elderly woman was found lying naked on the basement floor, covered with a bedsheet and feces. Her twin sister, who had come to visit, described her as “ice cold” and said her sister, who suffered from dementia, had not eaten in four days. Emergency responders noted that the woman cried out in pain with every movement, underscoring the extent of her suffering.
In a statement to police, Meers reportedly admitted, “Me allowing my mom to lay in her own crap is neglect. I don’t care.”
District Attorney Gill emphasized the seriousness of the charges.
“We charged this family member with manslaughter violation as well as abuse of a vulnerable adult,” he said.
Gill said “Elder abuse will not be tolerated.” He also highlighted the broader implications of the case.
“We as a nation are aging. We are more and more elderly,” he said. “And as a community, as a value, we want to be able to take care of our loved ones.”
A medical examiner’s autopsy revealed significant trauma, consistent with prolonged neglect.
Authorities said Meers has since left the state. Prosecutors plan to hold her without bail once she is apprehended.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the legal and moral responsibilities involved in caring for vulnerable adults — and the tragic consequences when those responsibilities are ignored.
Utah is a mandatory reporter state. This means that any person who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited must immediately notify Adult Protective Services or the nearest law enforcement office
If what you see is an emergency, please call 911. You can also report suspected abuse directly to Utah’s hotline to report abuse/neglect of seniors and adults with disabilities, which is 800-371-7897 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You can also report abuse online at the Utah Department of Health & Human Resources Adult & Aging Service’s website.
