ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Allegedly Stole Wife’s Jewelry
Some Property Recovered At Pawn Shop
Police Conduct Investigation
It does not take a dishonest stranger brought into an older person’s home long to take cash, jewelry, credit cards, checks and valuables if he or she has access. Indeed, whenever a caregiver or other stranger enters a senior’s or dependent adult’s home there is a very real danger of theft, whether the caregiver comes through an agency or is a direct hire. Elders and dependent adults are often unable to protect themselves from this kind of theft. Theft by credit card or of jewelry and cash or forged checks re of course all crimes, and when perpetrated against a dependent adult or senior such theft is also criminal financial elder abuse and grounds for civil liability against the person who took the property and anyone assisting them. Penal Code § 368; Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30(a)(1) and (2). If you or a loved one has been the victim of financial elder abuse in Alameda County or elsewhere in California, call us today at (415)441-8669. We will pursue all persons responsible for a senior’s injury. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Arrested For Theft Of Jewelry And Other Valuables
In a recently reported arrest,[1] police apprehended a caregiver and accused her of theft of jewelry and other valuables from her dependent adult patient. According to police, a few months after a man hired a caregiver for his ailing wife, the man received a call from a pawn shop employee who noticed the man’s wife’s name engraved on a diamond ring an individual brought into the shop to pawn. Over a two-week period, the store had been sold a diamond ring with the wife’s name engraved inside, a gold necklace with a diamond, and a gold class ring. These items belonged to the wife, but had been taken by the caregiver, according to court documents. While the class ring and necklace were reclaimed by the man, the wedding ring “had already been sent off” and was not able to be recovered, according to the arrest affidavit. The caregiver was arrested on felony and dependent adult financial abuse charges and is awaiting trial.
Protecting Elders And Dependent Adults
The suspect in the case was a direct hire by the victims. Whether you hire an individual directly or go through an agency, always do a background check on any person before hiring them as a caregiver. Get references and check them. If you are going through an agency ask for proof that the agency’s employees are bonded and the agency carries insurance. Check the agency’s license status on the California Department of Health website. Once the caregiver is in the home, keep jewelry, guns, silver and other valuable possessions in a safe place. Keep an eye on all of your older loved ones’ bank accounts and where his or her pension and Social Security benefits are being deposited. Change the mailing address for bank statements so that they come to you instead of the older person’s home where strangers can see account numbers. Do not allow any caregiver access to cash, credit cards, checks, and financial information. Never, ever grant a power of attorney to a caregiver or nursing home staff member.
Contact Us
If you suspect financial elder abuse of a loved one, friend or neighbor in Alameda County or elsewhere in California, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267). Ingrid pursues all available remedies for families and injured seniors against those responsible, including an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for the victim or his or her family. Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5.
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. is not involved in the case in any way.
