A rural Grayville woman is in custody on allegations she concealed her mother’s death and forged her welfare checks.
Carmi police arrested 59-year-old Dawn A. Fowler on Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as her mother, 77-year-old Nancy Lee Fowler of Shipley Street in Carmi.
According to White County Coroner Chris Marsh, a postal worker requested a welfare check after Nancy Fowler had not been seen for at least a month. When officers entered the residence, Dawn Fowler told them her mother was sleeping due to medication. Police reported the home’s condition was “deplorable” and noted a strong odor. They briefly exited to put on protective gear, then re-entered and found Nancy Fowler’s body.
Marsh said the victim’s son told authorities he had not seen his mother since early in the year. The body was taken to Springfield for an autopsy scheduled for Wednesday.
Prosecutors charged Dawn Fowler with forgery, a Class 3 felony, and two Class 4 felonies: concealing a death and obstructing justice by destroying evidence. She is being held at the White County Jail and appeared Tuesday in White County Circuit Court, where Judge T. Scott Webb expressed concern about her fitness. A public defender was appointed, with additional hearings to follow.