WEST DES MOINES, IA (KCCI/CNN) – Since the 2016 death of a teenager from malnutrition, some members of her adoptive family have tried to cash in on life insurance policies in the girl’s name.
Court documents show Joseph and Nicole Finn, the adoptive parents of 16-year-old Natalie, each took out separate life insurance policies on their daughter, one for $10,000 and the other for $25,000.
"Greed is a horrible word, but I think in this case, it really depicts what this was all really about,” Iowa State Sen. Matt McCoy said.
Natalie Finn died of malnutrition in October 2016 after investigators say her adoptive mother controlled the food intake of the 16-year-old and her siblings in order to control their behavior.
The mother is charged with first-degree murder in Natalie's death. She is also charged with child endangerment, child neglect and kidnapping.
Law expert Trever Hook says it’s not unusual for parents to take out life insurance policies on their children, but it doesn’t always look good.
"Of course, from the prosecution's standpoint, any life insurance that is brought out on a child or children – or two policies, as in this case – that gives a motive,” Hook said.
The estate administrator says Joseph Finn, who is charged with kidnapping and child endangerment and neglect, has rejected the $10,000 from the life insurance policy he filed.
Nicole Finn has not turned down the $25,000 from the policy she filed, but it cannot be handed over to her at this time because of the murder charge.
"You cannot obtain any benefits from the life insurance policy itself if you caused the death intentionally and unjustifiably,” Hook said.
The next beneficiary of the $25,000 insurance policy on Natalie Finn is her brother, and court documents show he attempted to collect the money in October 2017.
But the money remains in limbo as the family and estate administrator await Nicole Finn’s trial next month.
Court documents indicate Nicole Finn’s attorney will argue the woman’s mental health was impaired at the time of her daughter’s death. This diminished capacity defense may lessen some of her charges.
Copyright 2017 KCCI, West Des Moines Court, Finn Family via CNN. All rights reserved.
