The owner of an unlicensed nursing home has been charged with murder in the death of an 88-year-old resident.

Bonnie Howard, 55, is accused of intentionally depriving nutrition and liquids to Ann Jacobs, who died in 2001 at the Golden Senior Care nursing home in Chatham.

Howard surrendered to authorities Thursday and was being held on $750,000 bond.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (news - web sites) opened an investigation earlier this year after State Police reported allegations of abuse at the nursing home, department spokeswoman Tammy Leonard said. That was when the state learned the facility was operating without a license, she said.

Howard was indicted by a separate grand jury in July on a misdemeanor charge of reckless conduct in connection with alleged violence against other residents. Leonard said Howard is accused of knowing about abuse and doing nothing to stop it.

The home, which typically housed seven to 10 people, has been shut down since July.

A former employee of the home was charged in April with aggravated battery to a senior citizen, abuse and neglect of a facility resident and criminal abuse of an elderly person.