Daughter arrested in 91-year-old mother’s death, left unattended for hours in July heat
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A woman has been arrested in the July 2025 death of her 91-year-old mother, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) said.
CSPD said Kim Johnston was taken into custody Thursday and booked into the El Paso County jail.
Johnston is facing various charges, including Manslaughter and Negligent Death of At-Risk Person, according to court records.
CSPD and court records said officers responded just before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2025, about an "unresponsive" woman lying on the sidewalk outside a home on Hayman Terrace near Pikes Peak Avenue and South Circle Drive.
The woman -- later identified as Johnston's mother, Son Johnston -- suffered cardiac arrest while being rushed to a local hospital, where she later died, police and court records said.
According to court records, Son's daughter and caretaker, 59-year-old Kim Johnston, expressed that she had been annoyed with her mother that morning.
Records show Johnston opened the door for her mother to go to the front yard, and she crawled outside due to a broken hip.
Johnston said she left her with a bottle of water and an umbrella for shade. Medics on scene said they didn’t see these items nearby, according to court records.
Johnston reportedly admitted she only checked on her mother once or twice over those couple of hours in the 90-degree heat while she was inside. Court records show she was also wearing long-sleeve clothing and pants at the time.
Court records show her mother eventually called out for help, and Johnston then called 911.
Johnston told operators she thought her mother was dehydrated or passed out — but didn’t think it was urgent, according to court records.
Records show Johnston also told medics her mother fell a couple hours before and had been lying on the rocks in their yard for some time.
Just a month before the incident, Johnston was served for caretaker neglect, after leaving her mother on the floor for over six hours after falling, according to court records.
Police said they conducted "a lengthy investigation" before arresting Johnston in connection with the woman's death.
KRDO13 asked CPSD why it took over a year to make the arrest but did not hear back.
Johnston’s bond was set at $4000.
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