A Salt Lake family says what started as a health scare for their 92-year-old matriarch turned into a financial nightmare, after $1,000 vanished from her bank account following a stay at St. Mark's Hospital.
Richard Hutchens said his mother, Eva Burch, was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after suffering vertigo and a very low heart rate. As she was being treated, her husband placed her wallet in a white bag with her personal belongings. When the family gathered after her discharge, they realized the wallet was gone and later discovered that two $500 withdrawals had been made from her debit card.
Family Wants Answers
Hutchens said the couple immediately alerted hospital staff, then contacted police when they saw that cards and cash were missing. The family believes the theft happened while Burch was in the hospital.
KSL reported that the station obtained surveillance images, but that Unified police asked that the footage not be aired while detectives investigate. A hospital spokesperson told the outlet that St. Mark's is cooperating with the law enforcement probe.
Police Probe And Footage
"They took her billfold, and they took it with the intention of clearing out her checking account," Hutchens told KSL.
According to the family, a detective was assigned to the case after they reported the theft late Tuesday night. They said they are hoping hallway cameras will help narrow down who came and went near Burch's room.
Wider Risk For Older Adults
Financial exploitation of older adults is widespread and often underreported, with research and government overviews pointing to rising reports and sizable losses nationwide, as summarized by Congress.gov. Federal regulators and watchdogs have urged banks and other institutions to watch for red flags and to report suspected elder financial exploitation, per guidance from FinCEN and analysis by the CFPB.
How Families Can Protect Loved Ones
Advocates say families can take practical steps to help protect older relatives in medical settings. That can include double-checking a patient's belongings at discharge, contacting banks immediately to block or cancel missing cards, and asking hospital security about available footage and access logs.
Financial institutions may file suspicious activity reports and, in some cases, place temporary holds on questionable withdrawals. Regulators and consumer groups recommend reporting suspected exploitation not only to local police but also to elder fraud hotlines.
Hutchens said his family is counting on hospital cameras to help identify a suspect as detectives continue their inquiry. The hospital and Unified police did not immediately indicate whether any charges have been filed.
