Listen Live

Plea Deal Agreed to in Abuse Case

File Photo

A Taney County woman accused of abusing her disabled husband and child could be heading to state prison after taking a plea agreement with prosecutors which dropped 13 of the 15 charges against her.

The full story below from Jason Wert of the Branson Tri-Lakes News:

Ann Schilling pleaded guilty to two counts of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly or Disabled Person with a property value involved of $1,000 to $49,999. The two counts are Class B felonies in Missouri, which have a sentencing guideline of 5 to 15 years per count, which can include conditional release.

Taney County Prosecutor William Duston told Branson Tri-Lakes News he will be asking the judge to sentence Schilling to 10 years in prison.

As reported in September, Schilling was arrested in connection with allegations of abuse of her disabled husband and daughter. 

Court documents alleged Schilling used the $1,500 a month Social Security payments from her husband to purchase drugs. She was accused of not feeding her husband the diet prescribed by his physicians for his diabetes, resulting in massive weight loss, and she is alleged to have kept him from going outside for a year prior to his being moved from the home.

Schilling’s husband reportedly had to crawl from his bed to the bathroom, reportedly not making it to the bathroom many times and urinating in the hallway or his bed. Court documents stated the floors of the home were so covered with feces and cockroaches you “could not take a step” without stepping on one of the two.

The victim told police he went six to nine months without being bathed.

When EMTs found Schilling’s husband before his removal from the home, his blood sugar was too low to be measured and he was soaked in urine, telling the first responders his wife had been “feeding him candy.”

Schilling’s daughter, which court documents describe as “cognitively challenged” and a witness aid had the mentality of a 12-year-old, told investigators her mother was pimping her out for drugs. Court documents say Schilling is accused of also using her daughter’s monthly $583 Social Security payment for drugs.

Sentencing for Schilling is scheduled for May 4, 2022 before Judge Jeffrey Merrill.

Schilling’s co-defendant, her son Andrew Dennis Vandorn, is still facing multiple charges including sexual assault related charges, with his next scheduled court appearance March 4.

More from Local News

  • Active Weather for the Week, Weekend

    The National Weather Service continues to update information on showers and thunderstorms hitting the Lakes Region over the next several days. 

  • Sides Pleads Not Guilty in Taney County Case

    A man who has faced many legal issues over the past 10 plus years was in Taney County Court on Tuesday. 

  • Incoming storms expected to bring high winds, large hail, and flooding to Mark Twain National Forest

    Rolla, Mo., (April 1, 2025) — The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted a severe weather event moving through Missouri over the next few days. These storm systems could result in six to fifteen inches of precipitation over parts of the state. Forest Service personnel are preparing for the event and will be closely monitoring the water levels of local creeks and rivers as the storms move into and through the area. Predictions also include chances of high winds and hail. Please stay tuned in to local weather stations for timely and accurate local weather conditions and updates.

  • Severe Weather, Rain Chances Increasing

    National Weather Service forecasters continue to monitor the potential for severe thunderstorms over the next few days plus a chance of heavier rain going into the weekend. 

  • College of the Ozarks students experience new Global War on Terrorism Tour

    POINT LOOKOUT, MO. – College of the Ozarks students returned last week from a visit to New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, as part of a new College-led initiative, called The Global War on Terrorism Tour, which took place March 9 – 15.

Ways To Listen to KCAX Branson 4U

  • Download The App that Fits Your Lifestyle

    Click the links below if you have an Apple or Android phone to download our app. This will let you listen to us no matter where you are. On the lake? No problem, In another country? No problem. If you use Alexa at home, just say "Alexa, Play Branson4u" no matter where you live.

  • Apple store

    Download here if you have an Apple device, including iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
    This will place our app directly on the desktop of your device, making it easy to
    access with just a click. Plus, our app is compatible with Apple CarPlay, so you can
    seamlessly use it in your car too!

  • Google Play

    Download here if you have an Android device, including phone, tablet, or computer.
    This will place our app directly on the home screen of your device, making it easy to
    access with just a tap. Plus, our app is compatible with Android Auto, so you can seamlessly
    use it in your car too!

  • Alexa

    If you use Alexa at home, just say "Alexa, Play Branson4u" no matter where you live.
    Download Alexa here!

Weather on KCAX Branson 4U

Mostly Cloudy 68°
Dew Point: 66°
Humidity: 95%
Pressure: 29.54"
Visibility: 5 miles
Winds: SE @ 5 mph
play_arrow Loop Radar
9:40 pm
Leaflet | Powered by Esri | Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
Automatic Popup