WAVERLY – A Northern Iowa woman was arrested after an elderly woman died with burns covering 20% of her body.
On May 30, 2019 The Bremer County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the death of Sylvia Schwerin, 77 of rural Sumner. Schwerin was transported from her home to Community Memorial Hospital by ambulance on May 29, 2019 and passed away the following day. There were suspicions surrounding her death due to burn (scald) injuries to her body, and the lack of medical attention she had previously received for those injuries.
The investigation shows Schwerin had sustained burn (scald) injuries to approximately 20% of her body on May 10th that she did not receive professional medical care for.
On May 31, 2019 an autopsy was completed at the Iowa Office of The State Medical Examiner. The manner of death was ruled undetermined. The thermal injuries were considered a significant contributing factor to her death. The burns are believed to have occurred by accident.
On December 5, 2019 Debra Kleppe, 56 of Tripoli, was charged with non-support of a dependent adult, a “D” felony. Kleppe has been released on promise to appear in court.
The Bremer County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bremer County Medical Examiner.
