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Jul 05, 2023

Woman arrested for allegedly abusing elderly man by giving him fentanyl, having dog attack St. Landry Parish deputy

News release from St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office... According to Sheriff

News release from St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office...

According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, "On April 19, 2023 the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office received a complaint regarding cruelty to a person with infirmities and exploitation of a person with infirmities. This complaint was assigned to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Elderly Affairs Division for investigation. Angela Christine Speyrer was living with the victim and had assumed the role of primary caregiver due to the victim's poor health."

On April 15, 2023, a family member went to the home to visit the victim and immediately called 911. The family member found the victim lying in a cradled position under a comforter on top of a bare mattress. The victim's abdominal and groin area was very red and raw, and the victim would scream from physical touch.

Upon arrival at a local hospital, the victim was admitted for negligent mistreatment and tested positive for a narcotic drug (Fentanyl). The victim was hospitalized from April 15 – May 9, 2023, which was when he was released into a nursing home.

Upon further investigation by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Elderly Affairs Division, it was learned that an audit was conducted on the victim's bank account. Angela Speyrer signed 4 unauthorized checks that were written for cash to herself during the time that the victim was hospitalized, totaling $1,130.47."

On April 21, 2023, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a dog bite complaint at the victim's home. Upon arrival, it was noted that a detective with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office Elderly Affairs Division was bitten by a dog, and she was tending to a bite sustained from a dog bite.

When questioned by deputies, the Elderly Affairs Detective stated that she heard a large dog barking aggressively inside the residence when she knocked on the door. She observed Angela Speyrer looking out of the front window and Angela Speyer began to speak to the dog in a commanding voice. The detective identified herself and yelled at Angela Speyrer to secure the animal.

When the front door opened, the dog charged out of the residence and attached to the detective's leg. The detective attempted to jump inside the back of a parked truck to get away from the dog, however, the dog did not release its bite. A witness began striking the dog until it released the detective.

Angela Speyrer did not attempt to control the animal. Instead, she observed the dog biting the detective from the porch until the animal released its bite. At that time, Angela Speyrer then gained control of the animal and placed it inside the residence.

St. Landry Parish Animal Control took possession of the dog a short time later.

When questioned by deputies, Angela Speyrer stated that she did not know who was at the door and did not open it until she saw the witness, who was known to her. When she opened the door, the dog ran out and she was unable to stop him due to not having a leash and the dog being too strong for her to hold back. Angela Speyrer stated the detective screamed and her scream must have startled the dog, which is why it bit her.

When questioned by deputies, the witness stated that he observed the Elderly Affairs Detective identify herself numerous times as she knocked on the door and to keep the dog inside while opening the door. Angela Speyrer made no attempt to stop the dog from charging them and, in fact, observed Angela Speyrer move slightly to the right in the doorway, allowing the dog to leave the residence. She never made an attempt to secure her dog or stop her dog from biting the detective.

On May 19, 2023 an arrest warrant was issued, charging Angela Christine Speyrer with 1 count of cruelty to persons with infirmities and 1 count of exploitation of persons with infirmities. On May 19, 2023 St. Landry Crime Stoppers featured Angela Speyrer on their Fugitive Friday program in an attempt to locate her and have her arrested on the warrant. On May 31, 2023 received a tip giving Angela Speyrer's location and she was arrested by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office from the information given by the tipster.

One June 2, 2023, while incarcerated at the St. Landry Parish Jail, Angela Christine Speyrer received an additional charge for negligent injuring as a result of the dog bite investigation.

Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz added, "I would like to thank Crime Stoppers and the tipsters who called in the location of Angela Speyrer. This case shows that when the community and law enforcement work together, we can make our community safe for everyone."