A former aide at a Westlake nursing home is set to go on trial Wednesday, accused of turning residents’ credit cards into her own spending line. Prosecutors say the case reaches at least eight residents and racks up thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges, leaving families and staff pressing for answers as the Cuyahoga County case moves forward.
Trial Set For Wednesday In Cuyahoga County
The trial for Shiela Villanueva is scheduled to begin Wednesday in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. Villanueva was indicted on 14 counts, seven counts of identity fraud and seven counts of receiving stolen property, and was ordered to surrender her passport. She remains free on a $2,500 bond, according to Cleveland 19.
Police Describe How Cards Were Used
Westlake police say Villanueva, who worked as a state‑tested nursing assistant at Rae Ann Suburban Nursing and Rehabilitation on the 29500 block of Detroit Road, stole from at least eight residents between April 2024 and August 2025. Investigators allege she either took the physical cards or copied the numbers, then used them for purchases at restaurants, Amazon, DoorDash and the Children’s Museum.
“It’s a huge breach of privacy, especially someone who is going to take advantage of our most vulnerable citizens,” Westlake Police Captain Gerald Vogel told Cleveland 19.
Investigation Timeline And Facility Response
Police were first contacted about the suspected thefts in April 2025, and investigators say it took months to build the case as they traced transactions and tracked down residents who had moved or died. Rae Ann Suburban fired Villanueva on Aug. 28, 2025 after an internal review. She was arrested in November, arraigned in December and entered a not‑guilty plea, according to Skilled Care Journal.
Legal Status And Next Steps
Villanueva faces felony charges that will be decided in court, and she remains presumed innocent as the case proceeds. The Cuyahoga County proceedings beginning Wednesday will determine whether prosecutors can prove the allegations at trial.
Why Families And Facilities Are Watching
The case has renewed attention on financial exploitation risks in long‑term care, where staff may have routine access to residents’ belongings and payment information. Rae Ann Suburban has not released a detailed public statement about the allegations, and industry coverage notes that the incident highlights calls for tighter safeguards and family vigilance, according to Skilled Care Journal.
Court testimony and records expected this week are likely to fill in investigators’ timeline and show how transactions were traced to the defendant. The outcome will turn on the evidence prosecutors present and how the defense responds.
