ROCHESTER, MN – After failing to alert authorities for several days following his wife’s death in their home, a Rochester man has been sentenced to more than three years in prison on criminal neglect charges.
Scott Douglas Loven, 75, will serve 41 months behind bars after pleading guilty in May to a felony count of criminal neglect, admitting he knew his inaction would likely lead to great bodily harm. With his plea, a more serious manslaughter charge was dropped as part of a negotiated agreement.
The case centered on the death of 93-year-old Iris Jean Anderson, discovered unresponsive in the bathtub of her northwest Rochester home on May 8, 2023. When police arrived in response to a welfare check, Anderson had already been deceased for several days.
According to court documents, Loven—who had acted as Anderson’s primary caregiver due to her dementia and declining health—waited several days before her death was finally reported. It wasn’t until a family pastor notified Anderson’s daughter, who then asked for a wellness check, that police became involved.
Investigators determined Anderson had died of a gastrointestinal hemorrhage brought on by prolonged immobility following blunt force injuries. The medical examiner ruled her death a homicide and cited multiple injuries, including a fractured shoulder, contusions, and a scalp laceration.
During police interviews, Loven stated he could not recall when his wife died, indicating he began consuming alcohol heavily after the incident. Initial statements claimed Anderson had called for his help after an apparent fall, but Loven said he struggled to assist her and admitted he did not contact emergency services or family.
Further interviews revealed inconsistencies. Loven later said he moved Anderson into the tub after finding her on the bathroom floor, believing it would be more comfortable, but never called for assistance despite her requests to go to the hospital. He cited his own inability to move her and his reluctance to take her to the hospital as part of his decision not to seek help.
Authorities found that the residence had a functioning landline telephone, and there were no reported barriers to calling 911. The police reports also noted that Loven had tried to treat an abrasion on Anderson’s arm, leveraging his background as a nurse.
The delay in reporting the death came to light after a visit from the family’s pastor, who relayed the information to Anderson’s daughter. The daughter then requested the pastor return to the home, arriving together with police officers on May 8.
Court filings highlighted that Anderson had asked Loven to take her to the hospital, but these pleas went unanswered. Investigators emphasized the victim’s vulnerable state and Loven’s awareness of her deteriorating condition.
Anderson’s obituary described her as an independent and caring woman with a deep commitment to her family and community. Friends and relatives remembered her for her intellect, generosity, and resilience through adversity.
Loven’s sentencing closes the investigation into a case that drew attention to the responsibilities of family caregivers and the possible consequences of neglecting those duties. He is now serving his time with credit for the period already spent in custody.