This is 92-year-old Helen Staudinger, a sweet-looking, white haired old lady who looks like she’d be a nice grandma.
But behind those wrinkles and drawn-on eyebrows, Staudinger harbors a darker, more sinister side to her. A side that will (allegedly) plug your house full of holes if you don’t indulge her with a kiss.
According to authorities, Staudinger became enraged after her neighbor, 53-year-old Dwight Bettner, refused to give her a kiss. Since moving into the neighborhood some six months ago, Bettner has helped his 92-year-old neighbor with odd jobs, such as taking out her trash, a friendly gesture that apparently meant something a little more to Staudinger.
“I’ve taken her trash out for her, just neighborly stuff,” Bettner said. “I guess she just took that as something else.”
This past Monday Staudinger went to Bettner’s house and refused to leave unless she got a kiss. Bettner refused (and looking at that withered face, who can blame him), and ordered the 92-year-old back to her property. Staudinger complied and returned to her residence.
Shortly thereafter, while Bettner was on the phone with his father, when shots rang out, courtesy of Staudinger and her semi-automatic pistol. Four in all, one of which went through Bettner’s front window, nearly hitting the unsuspecting man in the back of the head. The crazed Staudinger also fired at Bettner’s new Mitsubishi 3000GT.
“If my head would have been over just a little bit further, (a bullet) probably would have hit me in the back of the head,” the neighbor said.
Staudinger was taken into custody. She’s due in court again on April 26.
As for Bettner, he’s more than likely going to be moving out of Dodge, so to speak.
“I just don’t need the stress or the hassle,” he said. “I thought this only happened to younger people.”
Sorry Dwight—not only is love blind, it’s also old, mean, and packs a pistol.
