ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Three Senior Victims
Silver, Jewelry And Other Valuables Missing
Protecting Seniors From Caregiver Theft
Theft of silver, jewelry and other valuables is a possibility whenever a stranger enters a senior’s home, and such articles are accessible. In a reported case, discussed below, a caregiver has been accused of theft of jewelry and valuables from multiple seniors, including most recently a 93-year-old man she worked for in-home. Whatever the property taken or size of financial elder abuse, under this broad statutory definition, any taking of any property from senior’s property “for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud,” or any assistance in such taking is a crime and grounds for civil liability of the person doing the taking and anyone assisting him or her. California Penal Code § 368. California broadly defines what constitutes financial elder or dependent adult abuse:
(a) “Financial abuse” of an elder or dependent adult occurs when a person or entity does any of the following:
(1) Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.
(2) Assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult for a wrongful use or with intent to defraud, or both.
(3) Takes, secretes, appropriates, obtains, or retains, or assists in taking, secreting, appropriating, obtaining, or retaining, real or personal property of an elder or dependent adult by undue influence, as defined in Section 15610.70.
Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30.
If you or a loved one is a victim of elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect in San Mateo County call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Charged With Theft From Three Seniors
In a recently reported case, [1] arrest warrants have been issued for an in-home caregiver who authorities say stole more than $150,000 in items from elderly clients. Charging documents in the cases show the suspect was an in-home caregiver and stole numerous items of value from three victims earlier this year. One victim and her family told police that numerous items of jewelry and silver dinnerware were valued at about $52,000. In that case, police were able to lift a fingerprint belonging to the suspect from a hutch where some of the dinnerware was kept, charging documents state. The suspect had no work-related reason to access the hutch, according to charging documents. Another victim reported more than $90,000 in jewelry had been stolen. The items were allegedly discovered missing following the last shift the suspect worked in the residence. The granddaughter of a third victim reported to police that numerous swords and daggers collected by the family were missing. The items were valued at more than $13,000. A fingerprint was also lifted from that cabinet and was the suspect’s, according to charging documents. Charging documents state the suspect was arrested following the thefts and interviewed but declined to speak to officers. She was also contacted by phone and agreed to turn herself in but failed to do so. Police also went to her last known address and found the residence vacant, charging documents state.
Protecting Seniors From Theft
Always do your own background check on any person before hiring them to work for an older loved one in their home. Ask for references and check them. Before any person shows up to work in the senior’s home, be sure to put away all jewelry, silver, valuable keepsakes and articles, and cash in a place that the employee cannot access – out of the senior’s house entirely. Keep all confidential information like bank account numbers, Social Security number, PINs, and other financial information out of eyesight of any caregiver or other employee or stranger in a senior’s home. Always monitor a senior loved one’s checking account; take a look at it online every day if you can. Never, ever give a caregiver a Power of Attorney, credit card, or a blank check. Stay involved in any senior loved one’s life so a stranger does not have the opportunity for this kind of theft and exploitation.
Contact Us
If you sense any kind of abuse of an older loved one anywhere in the San Mateo County, call us right away. Ingrid M. Evans has years of experience in representing seniors and their families against abusers of any kind, including in-home caregivers. You can reach us at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the case in any way.
