Son sentenced to prison under ‘deplorable conditions’ for his role in his father’s death
In what a judge called an “extraordinarily difficult case,” a West Des Moines man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for killing his 58-year-old father after he was found in what police called a deplorable condition.
Jacob Schaper, 25, was charged with first-degree murder in February 2023 after detectives completed a nearly six-month investigation into the death of his father, Steven Schaper.
Schaper pleaded guilty in September to abuse and neglect of a dependent person. His co-defendant, Jocelyn Grisham, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years probation in December.
Father found with bedsores
On Aug. 10, 2022, Schaper, who had been caring for his father, called 911 because he believed his father was having a stroke, a criminal complaint states. Emergency responders found Schaper’s father in a bed soaked in urine and feces with a dirty diaper and infected bedsores, a criminal complaint states.
The wounds were so bad that, according to a criminal complaint, maggots were found in the wounds. Some of the wounds were so deep that they went down to the bone.
Schaper’s father was taken to a local hospital where he later died from numerous health problems.
Schaper, who like his co-defendant applied for probation, claimed that the reason he did not call 911 or take his father to the hospital was because his father threatened to commit suicide.
“I have had a long time to reflect on the events that led to my father’s death,” Schaper read in a written statement to the court. “I have had a long time to reflect on what I would have done differently and what I should have done differently.”
Schaper, who was released from prison after pleading guilty, said he has been able to find a full-time job and plans to enroll in academic courses to obtain his GED.
“I feel regret and remorse, but at the same time I know I tried to respect my father’s wishes that he not have to go to the hospital,” Schaper said. “But looking back, I know I should have gone against his wishes and called for help sooner and got him to the hospital sooner.”
Schaper asked the court for a suspended sentence so he could spend time with his child with Grisham. But prosecutor Kailyn Heston said Polk County terminated both of their custody last week. Schaper’s custody was terminated because of a lack of visitation rights, Heston said.
Judge Paul Scott calls the case “appalling”
In his sentencing on Monday, forensic psychologist Luis Rosell testified that Schaper had a below-average IQ and suffered from numerous mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Nevertheless, Rosell stressed that Schaper was a functioning member of society.
Rosell said Schaper has a warm, friendly and compassionate nature and does not pose a major threat to society.
Before handing down the verdict, Judge Paul Scott said Schaper’s father had been bedridden for two months, describing his condition as “unbelievable.”
“The circumstances of the crime are obviously horrific. I can’t think of any other words to describe what I have read here,” Scott said.
“I don’t know how you could let this happen,” Scott said. “I don’t know how you could sleep in your car at night because the smell was too strong to stay inside and not think that something needed to be done.”
Scott sentenced Schaper to 10 years in prison for adult abuse and 10 years for dependent neglect. The sentences will be served concurrently.
José Mendiola is a breaking news reporter for the Register. Reach him at [email protected].
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