Putnam County man convicted in death of mother

Friday, May 1, 2026 at 9:59 AM

By Paul Gable

In less time than it takes to get a Doordash order, a Greencastle man was found guilty of neglect in the death of his mother.

Jurors took 15 minutes to return a verdict on Randy S. Haltom, 53, Greencastle, of guilty on a Level 1 felony charge of neglect of a dependent in the Dec. 4, 2024 death of his mother, Sandra Haltom, 74, Greencastle.

With the conviction behind him, Haltom now faces 20 to 40 years in jail, with sentencing slated for May 27 in Putnam County Superior Court. The conviction stems from a Dec. 4, 2024, call to 911 about a dead person. Greencastle Police Sgt. Nick Eastham met with Haltom at his mother’s residence and was told Sandra Haltom was found dead in her bedroom. Officers noted Sandra Haltom appeared to have been dead for several hours and there no signs of a struggle. Police did note, however, Sandra Haltom appeared to be “malnourished.”

Haltom told police he had been taking care of his mother for several years, citing health issues and that she had not been eating or drinking prior to her passing. Officers found a pair of water filled sippy cups with mold on the lids next to Sandra Haltom. A probable cause affidavit stated that Sandra Haltom was literally “skin and bones.”