Port St. Lucie woman accused of elder exploitation, including draining $100K from accounts

Barbara Baumgarten also listed as a co-borrower on a $616,550 mortgage, police say 

by Allen Cone

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — A 60-year-old woman was arrested after an investigation by the Port St. Lucie Police Department in alleged exploitation and neglect of an elderly and medically vulnerable man.

Barbara Baumgarten is accused of draining around $100,000 from the 85-year-old man's bank accounts and listed herself as a co-borrower on a $616,550 mortgage.

She is facing felony charges of grand theft from a person 65 years of age or older, exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.

Baumgarten was arrested with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force.

On Thursday, she was booked at the St. Lucie County Jail and remains there on $310,000 bond. Her first appearance was Friday.

This investigation began on March 18, when an elderly man was found injured on the floor of his Port St. Lucie home by Baumgarten, his caregiver.

The victim initially reported that four men had entered his home and assaulted him.

Surveillance footage showed no one entering or leaving the property, and no signs of forced entry or theft. He provided inconsistent accounts of what occurred.

Detectives determined the victim was experiencing significant cognitive issues.

But detectives continued looking into the victim’s overall well-being and circumstances.

The investigation shifted toward concerns of elder exploitation and neglect, and grew into the months-long investigation documented in a 45-page investigative report.

As the victim’s physical and cognitive health declined, he became increasingly dependent on Baumgarten, investigators found.

They determined that Baumgarten had assumed significant control over the victim’s finances and legal affairs, including power of attorney and healthcare surrogate.

Detectives also learned the victim had been isolated from family and friends, and that changes had been made to his estate documents that benefited Baumgarten.

Records reviewed by detectives showed there was a decline in his financial accounts from $105,971 in March 2023 to approximately $4,897 by April 2026 .

Investigators also uncovered a $616,550 mortgage on Baumgarten’s residence in which the victim was listed as a co-borrower. That is despite the property being solely in Baumgarten’s name and evidence that the victim was reportedly unaware his signature appeared on the mortgage.

Detectives worked with healthcare providers, caregivers, family members, financial institutions and other agencies to establish the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the victim’s care and finances.

The Florida Department of Children and Families ultimately substantiated allegations of exploitation and determined that the victim lacked the capacity to independently make his own decisions.

The victim was removed from Baumgarten’s care, placed under a temporary guardianship, and reunited with his family.

"This case serves as a reminder of the importance of looking beyond the initial circumstances when something does not appear right," the police agency said in a news release. "Through an extensive investigation, detectives were able to uncover concerns involving the care, finances, and well-being of a vulnerable member of our community and ultimately help ensure his safety. 

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Port St. Lucie woman accused of elder exploitation, including draining $100K from accounts