A San Antonio certified nursing assistant is accused of turning a 79-year-old memory-care resident’s debit card into her own personal spending tool, a case that is raising fresh questions about how well vulnerable residents are protected inside local facilities.
Police arrested 36-year-old Destiny Lashell Houston on Tuesday, alleging she used the woman’s debit card for a string of personal purchases at a North Side nursing home. She is charged with exploitation of an elderly individual, abuse of a credit or debit card belonging to an elderly individual and fraudulent use or possession of items belonging to an elderly individual, all treated as third-degree felonies under department policy, according to KSAT. Houston worked directly with the victim at The Forum at Lincoln Heights on the North Side, police say. Jail records cited by the outlet show she bonded out Tuesday night and is scheduled for a court appearance on Aug. 24.
How Texas Law Treats Elder Exploitation
State law defines exploitation as the illegal or improper use of an elderly person’s resources for someone else’s benefit, and the offense is set out in Texas Penal Code Section 32.53. The statute, as published on Justia, makes exploitation of an elderly individual a third-degree felony. Under Texas sentencing rules, a third-degree felony can carry two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. That punishment range is detailed on the Texas Legislature website in Section 12.34.
Police Say Surveillance And Family Caught The Charges
The victim, according to KSAT, is a 79-year-old resident diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2024 who moved into the facility’s memory-care unit in June 2025. Her daughter went through bank records in August 2025 and spotted what investigators described as “numerous purchases,” including a charge tied to a vending machine in the employee lounge at the facility.
Detectives then pulled surveillance images and video from locations where the card had been used. Supervisors at the nursing home told investigators they recognized Houston in the images, the outlet reports. Houston acknowledged she was the person in the photos but denied using the resident’s debit card, telling police she had found a gift card instead, according to the report.
What Families Can Do If They Suspect Financial Misuse
Texas Adult Protective Services says anyone who suspects abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled adult is required to report it. Suspected cases can be reported by phone at 1-800-252-5400 or online at TxAbuseHotline.org, according to guidance from the state’s Department of Family and Protective Services. DFPS notes that Adult Protective Services will open an investigation when allegations meet intake criteria and can coordinate with law enforcement and the courts when needed.
Broader Concerns About Elder Financial Exploitation
Advocates say cases like this are far from rare and that elder financial exploitation is often underreported. National organizations, including the AARP Fraud Watch Network, have pushed for stronger safeguards to catch suspicious transactions before serious damage is done. AARP recommends regular reviews of bank and credit accounts, setting up transaction alerts and limiting routine staff access to residents’ financial information as practical steps families can take to cut down on risk.
