Rock Valley woman pleads guilty to murder in nursing home death

There won’t be a trial for the Rock Valley woman accused of killing a nursing home patient in her care — but the woman will be going to prison. Twenty-seven-year-old Christie Van Ordt agreed to plea guilty to second degree murder in connection with the death of 87-year-old Dick Post of Rock Valley. Her trial had been scheduled for September 23rd. Post’s body was exhumed this past January, and pathologists said the nursing home resident choked to death because his airway was blocked, probably by food. Van Ordt faces a mandatory 55 year prison sentence, and will be in jail at least 35 years before being eligible for parole. There are other allegations against the former Valley Manor nursing home employee, and other changes could be filed. Van Ordt is in the O’Brien County Jail now, and will stay there until she’s transferred to the state women’s prison in Mitchellville.