AP: Prosecutors Won't File Criminal Charges Against Casey Kasem's Widow

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Los Angeles prosecutors said Friday they will not file elder abuse charges against Casey Kasem's widow.

A charge evaluation sheet released by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said there was insufficient evidence to charge Jean Kasem.

Prosecutors cited Jean Kasem's efforts to ensure her husband was continuously supervised by doctors.

"Because of Mr. Kasem's longstanding profound health issues, this case cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury," the decision said.

Jean Kasem was married to the radio personality for more than 30 years but was stripped of control over his medical care in the final days of his life.

Casey Kasem died in June 2014 in Washington state, where his wife took him after removing him from a medical facility where he was receiving around-the-clock care.

The longtime "American Top 40" host had a form of dementia and severe bedsores when he died.

His daughter, Kerri Kasem, was named his conservator and sought elder abuse charges against her stepmother.

Los Angeles police investigated the allegations against Jean Kasem.

A judge in May 2014 temporarily stripped her of her caretaker role after she moved Casey Kasem from a medical facility in Los Angeles to a friend's home in Washington.

Jean Kasem said she relocated her husband to protect his privacy and to consult with doctors.

Casey Kasem developed a severe bedsore while in Washington and was in critical condition by the time he was hospitalized in early June.

Kerri Kasem upon learning of the district attorney office's decision to not file charges issued the following statement:

"My family is very sad to learn the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has decided not to file charges against Jean Kasem. We did everything we could to save my Dad at the end of his life, including getting an emergency court order for conservatorship. But we were too late. My father's second wife Jean had done everything she could to keep our father from us while not providing the quality care that he – and every other senior in our society – deserves.

"We're hopeful that the prosecutors in Kitsap County, Washington where my father was taken against his will and later died, will do the right thing and file charges against Jean.

"The Los Angeles County District Attorney, with her professed interest in ending elder abuse, could do more. Her website says 'she leads the largest prosecutorial office in the nation, with nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 investigators and 800 support staff members.'

"It's a sad day in our country when our parents, family members and loved ones die at the hands of others, and our elected prosecutors elect to do nothing."

Casey Kasem's legacy reached well beyond music. His voice was heard as the character Shaggy in the "Scooby-Doo" TV cartoons and in numerous commercials.

His "American Top 40" began July 4, 1970, in Los Angeles, when the No. 1 song was Three Dog Night's cover of Randy Newman's "Mama Told Me Not to Come."

In his signoff, Casey Kasem's would tell viewers: "And don't forget: Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."

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