The St. Petersburg Police Department has reported the arrest of 65-year-old Delorse Boyd, accused of exploiting an elderly, wheelchair-bound individual for an estimated $205,762.60 over a timespan of several years. Boyd, who initially provided cleaning services to the victim, later took over tasks such as grocery shopping, bill payments, and medication pick-ups after the victim underwent surgery and required full-time home health care. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department's Facebook post, Boyd's financial misconduct began when the victim was 79 and continued until she was around 83 years old.
The detailed report by the police department explains that the exploitation was uncovered by the victim’s bank, who then alerted law enforcement. Throughout the period between July 7, 2017, and September 1, 2021, Boyd wrote 176 checks to herself, used them to deposit money into her own bank account, and pay for her personal expenses. Alarmingly, she also used a victim’s credit card for unauthorized charges totaling over $20,000, splurging on a range of items and services, including appliances, travel, and even ride-share expenses. In a particularly audacious act of deceit, Boyd wrote a check for $3,517.02 from the victim’s account to cover her own court fees for criminal and traffic charges.
In response to this case, the St. Petersburg Police Department is drawing attention to preventative measures and offering advice on how to guard against financial exploitation. Their social media post lists several recommendations, including the cautious selection and appointment of a Power of Attorney, consulting trusted advisors before making any significant financial decisions, and closely monitoring credit reports and bank statements—a particularly crucial step for joint account holders.
