Glen Ellyn man charged with neglect in mom’s death

Margaret Gault, 88, died in January from an infection that developed as she spent several weeks lying on the floor of her Glen Ellyn home, authorities say.

Now her 64-year-old son is facing criminal charges in connection with her death.

The DuPage County state’s attorney’s office announced Friday that John Gault, of the 400 block of Elm Street in Glen Ellyn, has been charged with two counts of criminal neglect of an elderly person. He turned himself in to authorities on Friday morning.

“The allegations against Mr. Gault are just horrendous,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. “Seniors deserve our care, respect and understanding. They do not deserve to be treated as alleged in this case, left to die on the floor of their home.”

On Jan. 16, paramedics responding to a 911 call found Margaret Gault lying naked on the bedroom floor inside the house she shared with her son.

At the time she was discovered, Margaret Gault was dehydrated and emaciated. She also had bed sores on her shoulder blades and tailbone, authorities said.

Officials said an investigation into Margaret Gault’s death revealed she had been lying on the floor for several weeks.

“She passed away due to an infection as a consequence of the pressure sores on her body due to lying on the floor,” according to the statement from the state’s attorney’s office.

The most serious charge filed against John Gault is a Class 2 felony punishable by up to three to seven years in prison, authorities said.

Gault was released from jail Friday after posting $300 — or 10 percent — of his $3,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15 in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.