Deputies in Marion County say a 24-year-old former caregiver at a local assisted-living facility turned an elderly resident’s debit card into her own personal bankroll, racking up 67 unauthorized charges in just 11 days and draining nearly $6,700 from the account. She was taken into custody on July 23 and now faces a stack of felony counts.
Affidavit traces spending across three counties
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators documented 67 transactions made between May 27 and June 6 that totaled $6,686.99, with charges stretching across Marion, Alachua and Orange counties. The records tie the card to gas stations, restaurants, liquor stores, Walmart, Publix and a nail salon, and connect mall spending at Pandora, Lululemon, Claire’s and Foot Locker at the Mall at Millenia.
The affidavit also details more than $680 spent at Beauty Max, roughly $454 through the car-sharing platform Turo and nearly $320 at Tory Burch. Surveillance footage allegedly shows the suspect buying 22 items at a Publix in Ocala and leaving with others in a white Kia. The assisted-living facility’s administrator told investigators she had worked there as an aide and had been fired in mid-May, according to WFTV.
Investigation and tips
Deputies issued a wanted notice in mid-July after the resident reported the debit card and $240 in cash missing. WCJB noted investigators were asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers of Marion County with tips and to reference case number 26-08.
Charges, penalties and next steps
Authorities arrested the suspect on July 23 and booked her on 67 counts of fraudulent use of another person’s identification, grand theft from a person 65 or older and exploitation of an elderly person. Her bond was set at $171,500, according to WFTV.
Under Florida law, exploitation of an elderly person is defined and penalized in F.S. 825.103, and alleged thefts under $10,000 are generally prosecuted as third-degree felonies, per The Florida Senate. The case remains under investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and will be reviewed by prosecutors as they consider formal charges.
