The Suwanee Police Department is currently urging the public to come forward with any information regarding possible victims of identity fraud and elder exploitation. The call for community assistance follows charges against Briauna Michelle Powell, a home health assistant who police believe may have leveraged her position to improperly access and make use of elderly clients' personal data, as reported by 11Alive.
Authorities have accused Powell of using her employment to pry into the private lives of her charges, orchestrating a betrayal not just of personal trust, but of the societal compact to protect our senior citizens. In fact, according to FOX 5 Atlanta, police claim she spent over $25,000 of her victims' funds, including the purchase of a $16,000 vehicle. "I don't know how she thought she'd get away with it. Maybe she thought, because they were elderly and they couldn't care for themselves, so they wouldn't notice," Suwanee Police Capt. Robert Thompson conveyed to FOX 5 Atlanta.
The investigation was propelled by a power of attorney notice, which uncovered Powell's alleged dealings. Powell faces almost two dozen charges. She remains incarcerated without bond, as stated by police representatives. The sense of urgency to identify further victims is accentuated by the notion that there might be additional, yet unaware, individuals compromised by Powell's actions. As Thompson asserted to FOX 5 Atlanta, "If you’re preying on the people that can't take care of themselves, we take that seriously, and we want to make sure she's held accountable." Adding to this sentiment, the 11Alive report highlights the police's commitment to thoroughly identify and aid any other exploited elders.
The Visiting Angels, her former employer, has distanced itself from Powell's actions, maintaining their adherence to stringent hiring protocols. "We provide the highest quality service to our clients. We followed company policy and this employee passed a thorough background check with no issues. She has been terminated and we continue to cooperate with authorities in this case," owner Carolyn Easter explained in a statement, as obtained by FOX 5 Atlanta.
For those who fear their elderly relatives might have fallen prey to Powell, or have any related concerns, they are asked to reach out to Detective Zaenglein at 470-360-0689 or by email at [email protected].
