Hospice nursing assistant accused of stealing checks from elderly victim

by: Kevin S. Held

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A certified nursing assistant is accused of stealing checks from an elderly woman whom she was caring for and depositing those checks into their own account.

According to the St. Ann Police Department’s probable cause statement, the check scam occurred between Jan. 14 and March 31.

Police said the victim met Charnell Hawkins in the summer of 2024. Hawkins was performing hospice care for the victim’s husband, who eventually passed away.

Following the death of her husband, the victim called Hawkins to share the news. Hawkins allegedly offered to help the victim is she ever needed medical assistance in the future.

The victim was injured in a car crash on Nov. 1, 2024, and hospitalized until mid-January 2025.

While she was in the hospital, police said the victim contacted Hawkins, and the two arranged for the victim to move into Hawkins’ home in Old Jamestown.

The victim eventually moved into Hawkins’ home on Jan. 18 after spending time in a rehab facility, with an agreement that she’d pay Hawkins $2,000 a month for her care.

St. Ann police said they were called to the victim’s home over a concern that a cat was in the house and not being cared for. Officers went to the residence and discovered several pieces of furniture were missing and the victim could not be located.

Eventually, police learned the victim was staying with Hawkins and went to check on her there. The victim’s missing furniture was at Hawkins’ home. The victim told police she suspected Hawkins was misusing her money, adding that Hawkins had taken her checkbook and cell phone, and she hadn’t seen her own mail in several weeks.

Investigators discovered Hawkins had either cashed or deposited several checks from the victim in the amount of $36,750. Approximately $20,550 worth of checks had been written when the victim was either still in the hospital or at the rehab facility.

In addition, the victim told police she’d signed documents giving Hawkins power of attorney, but only for her medical care and not her finances. Police said Hawkins repeatedly tried to get the victim to sign over her home, but the victim refused to do so.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Hawkins with financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person. Online records do not indicate when she’s scheduled to appear in court.

Full Article & Source:
Hospice nursing assistant accused of stealing checks from elderly victim