Caregiver charged with stealing over $40K from vulnerable adults

Story by Deja Davis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A woman was arrested and indicted after she stole money from over a dozen vulnerable adults at a Shelby County care facility, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s Medicaid Fraud Control Division.

Tareka Smith, 44, is charged with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

In July 2024, TBI said it started investigating a referral from the Adult Protective Services about allegations of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults residing at a Shelby County care facility.

During the investigation, Tareka Lashun Smith, a supervisor and caregiver, was accused of using the bank cards of 21 victims and making unauthorized ATM cash withdrawals worth more than $42,000.

TBI agents say they developed information that Smith had been taking the money from November 2022 until July 2024.

On June 26, a Shelby County Grand Jury returned an indictment, charging Smith. She was booked into jail the following week.

Tareka Smith is currently held in jail on a $150,000 bond. 

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Caregiver charged with stealing over $40K from vulnerable adults