Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ex group home employee allegedly steals from clients


WILLMAR — A former caretaker at multiple local group homes faces charges of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults for allegedly stealing more than $8,400 from developmentally disabled clients.


Carrie Sue Wadsworth, 35, of Willmar, made her first appearance Wednesday on two felony charges and two gross misdemeanor charges of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Wadsworth was granted a public defender and released on her own recognizance, with conditions including not managing any financial accounts other than her own and not having any contact with the alleged victims in the case, who are clients of Presbyterian Family Foundation facilities in Willmar and Atwater.

According to the criminal complaint on the charges, Wadsworth had been employed as a program director for the company. Part of her job included managing finances of all seven of the vulnerable adult clients who are the alleged victims.

A Willmar Police Department detective received report of the situation March 12, during an interview with Presbyterian Family Foundation employees. Multiple employees reported that they believed Wadsworth had stolen $8,446 belonging to seven vulnerable adults.

The criminal complaint alleges that Wadsworth had conversations with other employees, allegedly admitting to taking some of the missing money.

One employee reported to law enforcement that she had spoken with Wadsworth about the situation Feb. 5. During the conversation, Wadsworth reportedly admitted to stealing $900 from one of the vulnerable adults because of her own financial problems.

Another employee reported that she had received text messages from Wadsworth, in which Wadsworth apologized for her behavior and allegedly stated that she had a gambling problem. The Willmar detective obtained copies of the company’s financial reports regarding the missing money from the seven clients and discovered that the funds had gone missing between May 2013 and September 2014. Wadsworth was reportedly employed by Presbyterian Family Foundation between September 2012 and February 2015.

The financial records for the money belonging to the clients showed numerous mysterious cash withdrawals, charged amounts and checks that did not have accompanying receipts or explanations for use, according to the criminal complaint.

Full Article & Source: 
Ex group home employee allegedly steals from clients

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This really burns my toast. Stealing from the elderly or disabled should have stiffer penalties.

B Inberg said...

Carrie Sue Wadsworth is another one, I'll supply the rope to ensure Wadsworth won't have another opportunity to lay in wait for her prey. Shame shame shame on you.