Woman charged in elder-abuse case

A Huntland woman was released on a $500,000 bond after being arrested in connection with allegations of elder abuse and theft.

Betty Jean Duncan, 55, appeared in Franklin County Circuit Court Tuesday, according to court records, and she is scheduled to appear again on Jan. 21, 2025.

An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the indictment and arrest of Duncan, according to a TBI press release.

On July 9, at the request of 12th Judicial District Attorney General Courtney Lynch, agents began investigating allegations of theft by Duncan, who operated a care facility in Franklin County, according to reports.

Agents learned that an 82-year-old female who had been allegedly under Duncan’s care passed away in March, the press release said.

A review of the woman’s financial accounts during the investigation found discrepancies where large sums of money appear to have been transferred from the victim’s account to an account co-owned by Duncan, reports said.

Agents later identified Duncan as the individual allegedly responsible for taking the money, the press release said.

On Nov. 18, a Franklin County grand jury returned an indictment charging Duncan with one count of theft over $250,000 and one count of financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable adult, the press release said.

On Nov. 19, TBI agents and deputies with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Duncan, the press release said, adding that she was transported to the Franklin County Jail and booked on a $500,000 bond.

Full Article & Source:
Woman charged in elder-abuse case