In a disturbing case of financial elder abuse emerging from the tranquil hills of Ojai, a caregiver stood accused of exploiting her position to enrich herself at the expense of an elderly woman in her care, as detailed in an official press release by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Heather Moore, a 25-year-old from Oxnard, reportedly used her intimate access as a caregiver to an 81-year-old Ojai resident to alter and forge checks, siphoning over $3,000 into her coffers.
It came to light, that the investigation which was pursued following an alert bookkeeper who grew suspicious over the check alterations that brought this scheme into focus, traced the fraudulent trail back to Moore. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has commended the bookkeeper’s vigilance, highlighting how such attentiveness in financial matters can thwart deceit and exploitation. An arrest warrant for Moore included charges under PC 368(d)(1)- Elder Abuse, PC 470(d)- Forgery, and PC 487(a)- Grand Theft, reflecting a convergence of violations that the authorities have taken seriously.
Following the extensive investigative work of the Ojai Station Investigations, the suspect was apprehended on January 23 in Oxnard. "Moore was booked into the Ventura County Jail and is currently undergoing court proceedings," as per the official account.
