Ridgeway man pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of his mother

ALBION – A Ridgeway man pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in Orleans County Court this morning and could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

Curtis Schroth, 52, admitted to hitting his mother in the back of the head with a hammer on Oct. 15, causing injuries that led to her death on Oct. 27.

Schroth was living with his mother, Dolores Schroth, at the time. She was 78.

After seriously injuring his mother, Schroth went to the Albion Police Department on Oct. 15, and confessed to the crime, District Attorney Susan Howard said.

The case was at a standstill because Schroth was deemed to be mentally incompetent. He has been in a psychiatric facility for several months but was brought to Orleans County on Sept. 24 to appear in court after being found competent.

Schroth in court today said his mother frequently put him down. He cited “mental health abuse” when Judge Sanford Church asked Schroth why he hit his mother with the hammer.

Schroth said the hammer was on a counter inside the house. He acknowledged he hit her with the intention of causing physical injury.

Howard said the Monroe Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Dolores Schroth died from the injuries sustained after being hit with the hammer.

“Do you understand tat hitting your mother in the back of the head with a hammer caused significant risk of death?” Judge Church asked Schroth.

“Yes,” he replied.

He will be sentenced on Jan. 7 and also could face a $5,000 fine, other court surcharges and fees, and post-release supervision.