Former New Lenox man gets 4-1/2 years for neglect of ailing mother

July 17

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a former New Lenox man was sentenced Thursday to 4-1/2 years in prison for the criminal neglect of his elderly mother.

Mark Kuech, 51, pleaded guilty in April to Criminal Abuse or Neglect of an Elderly Person, a Class 3 Felony. The indictment alleges that Kuech failed to care for his 79-year-old mother in the months between May and November of 2012. The victim had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, which had been under control, prior to the period of neglect.

Kuech left his mother, Margaret Kuech, unattended in a basement bedroom of his home in New Lenox for extended periods of time. In November of 2012, she was hospitalized after paramedics were called and found her to be severely malnourished, suffering from extensive bedsores and disoriented. At the time she was hospitalized, the 5-foot, 6-inch tall woman weighed less than 90 pounds. 

Kuech’s wife had been caring responsibly for Margaret Kuech. But when she left her husband because of his alcohol problems, Margaret Kuech became her son’s responsibility.

“Mark Kuech selfishly neglected his obligation to provide the most basic care for his frail and elderly mother,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “This is the ultimate betrayal by a man who should spend the next several years in prison rethinking his priorities.”

Margaret Kuech continues to suffer from partial paralysis and dementia and no longer recognizes old friends who visit. She is unable to care for herself and requires constant care in a nursing home.

Glasgow thanked Will County Sheriff’s Department investigators and his prosecutor, Frank Byers, for securing the conviction and sentence in this case. He also credited Assistant State’s Attorney Chris Koch for conducting a thorough review of Margaret Kuech’s accounts to ensure she was not financially exploited.