Ness County couple charged in mistreatment of elder veteran sentenced to probation

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

A Ness County couple who were convicted of mistreatment of a former Air Force nurse who served in Vietnam were sentenced to probation on Wednesday.

Lynn and Opal Schmidt of Ransom were arrested in July each on a charge of mistreatment of a dependent adult, and they entered pleas in Ness County District Court on March 20.

The victim's friend, Renata Craft, wrote letters and contacted veterans organizations to attend the couple's sentencing hearing, and supporters of the victim packed the court to capacity on Wednesday. 

The Ness County Attorney issued the following statement on the sentencing on Wednesday.