Woman accused of exploiting ailing elderly man at West Palm Beach assisted living facility

by Malcolm Shields 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A Port St. Lucie woman is facing another allegation of defrauding an elderly person.

According to Palm Beach County court records, Megan E. Bernat, 46, was arrested on Wednesday, July 22, on exploitation of elderly and money laundering transactions charges.

Bernat was arrested on Sept. 3, 2025, on charges of personal identity fraud, exploitation of an elderly person and money laundering transactions of a 73-year-old woman in West Palm Beach.

Megan Elizabeth Bernat

During the West Palm Beach Police Department’s investigation into the 2025 case, it was discovered that another bank account was used to make more than $30,000 worth of payments to Bernat’s credit card.

The account was frozen by the bank, which prevented the account’s use.

Detectives determined the frozen account belonged to a 92-year-old man who lived at the MorseLife assisted living facility in West Palm Beach along with the first victim.

Bernat was a social worker at the living facility, and she was assigned as the second victim's full-time care manager beginning on Dec. 30, 2021.

She assisted with the second victim's financial records.

During that time, the second victim suffered from 18 medical problems including dementia and needed help with routine tasks like laundry, getting dressed and going to the restroom.

According to the arrest report, the second victim died on March 15, 2024, about two weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.

Detectives determined that the second victim’s bank account was used 30 times to make mobile payments to a credit card account connected to Bernat.

An investigation also revealed Bernat’s credit card was part of 30 transactions totaling $31,295.28 between May 11, 2023, and April 22, 2024.

Seven of the 30 transactions occurred while the second victim was in hospice, including six transactions after he died on March 15, 2024.

During a Thursday, July 23 court hearing, a judge ordered Bernat to serve in-house arrest, wear a GPS monitor with bail set at $30,000. 

Full Article & Source:
Woman accused of exploiting ailing elderly man at West Palm Beach assisted living facility 

Lake Worth Beach caretaker pleads guilty to exploiting elderly client

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —  A Lake Worth Beach woman accused of taking advantage of a declining elderly woman financially entered a plea in court.

According to court documents in Palm Beach County, Nerlande Charles, 42, pled guilty Tuesday to exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, fraudulent use of personal identification information of a dead victim and money laundering.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

Nerlande Charles

Charles was sentenced to five years in state prison, credited with 295 days of time served in county jail and must pay court costs. After her prison sentence is completed, Charles will serve four years of probation.

The court ordered Charles not to have contact with the niece of the dead victim and no contact with the property or the family of the dead victim.

Charles was banned by the court from working as a home health aide, working inside another home, working to care for a disabled adult or elderly person, and she must obtain a job after her prison time is served.

Charles was working for the elderly victim in 2022 as a caretaker when she wrote checks and had the client, who was in mental decline, sign the checks.

Charles took a car from the victim and claimed the victim gave it to her as a “gift.” It was also discovered that Charles made unauthorized transactions on the victim’s account for over $300,000.

Charles also made transactions on the victim’s account before the victim died at age 81. The niece of the victim discovered the unauthorized transactions and informed the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. 

Full Article & Source:
Lake Worth Beach caretaker pleads guilty to exploiting elderly client 

Scammers told elderly Sandy Springs woman her late husband missed jury duty, so she’d be arrested

By Michael Seiden

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — Sandy Springs police have arrested two people in connection with what investigators describe as a jury duty scam that targeted multiple victims, including an 80-year-old widow who lost more than $40,000.

Bryan Jesean Jackson, 21, was arrested Feb. 16 and charged with theft by extortion, exploitation of an elderly person and impersonating a public officer, according to police. Jaell Draughn, 19, was also arrested and faces the same charges. Jail records show Draughn was booked Sept. 28 and later released on bond.

Police told Channel 2’s Michael Seiden that a third suspect, Nicolas Lo, remains on the run. 

Full Article & Source:
Scammers told elderly Sandy Springs woman her late husband missed jury duty, so she’d be arrested

Caregiver accused of exploiting elderly client, using stolen funds for luxury purchases

by Grace Bellinghausen

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Palm Beach County caregiver is accused of stealing over $17,000 from his elderly client with dementia.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO), caregiver Mathieu Gustave knowingly stole money from his client, an elderly man with dementia, between August 2022 and June 2023.

Deputies accuse Gustave of making $17,000 in unauthorized cash withdrawals in total.

Records show that Gustave also used his clients' credit cards on Amazon, with a digital trail revealing dozens of expensive purchases, including smartphones, a blender, sneakers, perfume, and smartwatches.

In addition to the Amazon account, deputies say Gustave also linked his client's card to his Cash App account, sending over $1,800, and his T-Mobile account, using his card for over $600 worth of bills.

When confronted with his Amazon spending, Gustave told deputies, "I don't remember buying those... maybe someone messed up my account."

When asked if he believed everything he did was legal, he replied, "He gave me permission... we were like family... he helped me out."

Due to the psychiatric evaluation, deputies believe the victim lacked the capacity to consent, giving deputies probable cause to book Gustave on counts of exploitation of an elderly person and fraudulent use of identification. 

Full Article & Source:
Caregiver accused of exploiting elderly client, using stolen funds for luxury purchases 

Hospice worker accused of exploiting patient, steals $7K

by Skyler Shepard

On March 7, deputies arrested the 57-year-old woman, who now faces exploitation of an elderly person, fraudulent use of personal information, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and uttering a forged instrument. (HCSO)

TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — A hospice worker is accused of financially exploiting a hospice patient under her care.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said deputies responded to a delayed fraud report on March 4 on Clubhouse Circle, where the victim, receiving hospice care, reported being defrauded by a home health assistant.

The sheriff's office said the fraudulent activity reportedly began on January 28. The suspect, identified as Shawn Livingston, allegedly persuaded the victim to use Zelle for service payments and manipulated the transactions to transfer money to her accounts, pay her creditors, and make payments to Carnival Cruises, stealing more than $7,000.

"The actions of this individual are unacceptable and despicable. Preying on a hospice patient, someone who relies on others for care and support, is a heartless and disgraceful betrayal," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

On March 7, deputies arrested the 57-year-old woman, who now faces exploitation of an elderly person, fraudulent use of personal information, grand theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, and uttering a forged instrument.

"We are committed to protecting our most vulnerable residents," said Sheriff Chronister. "Let this serve as a clear message: this kind of abuse has no place in our community, and we will do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice."

Full Article & Source:
Hospice worker accused of exploiting patient, steals $7K

Woman sought for exploiting elderly person arrested

By Cesar G. Rodriguez

A woman wanted for exploitation of an elderly person has been arrested, according to the Webb County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities said on Friday that Norma Lisa Gonzalez was arrested in Kleberg County and served with a warrant charging her with exploitation of a child, elderly individual or special needs person, a third degree felony.

“I thank the community for all your help in capturing the suspect. Exploitation of our senior citizens will not be tolerated," said Sheriff Martin Cuellar in a statement.

"Elderly abuse and exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes and we must all do everything in our part to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice."

Cuellar encourages the community to report suspicious activity at (956) 415-BUST (2878) or (956) 523-4408. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.

Full Article & Source:
Woman sought for exploiting elderly person arrested

Caretaker charged with spending thousands of dollars with dementia patient's debit card

by LENNY COHEN

Sandra Jean Yeager was charged with grand theft of between $750 and $5,000, and with exploitation of an elderly person, Jan. 26, 2024. (Sumter Co. Sheriff's Office)

WILDWOOD, Fla. (TND) — A woman in Florida who helped take care of an elderly man with dementia is accused of taking care of herself with his debit card, big time.

There's a long list of places she allegedly spent money with his that card, and she's charged with two felonies.

According to her arrest report, “The victim's son stated that his father was showing signs of dementia and stated he could not operate the TV remote, could no longer utilize his smartphone, and could not even use the phone to call him.

“It was unknown to him that his father had given the defendant the debit card.”

A Wildwood police officer reported going to Sandra Jean Yeager's home early on Jan. 26, and wrote, “The defendant admitted that she used the victim's card to purchase items without prior approval, but stated that it was only a few items.

“The defendant stated that some items she was given permission to purchase and paid back,” the report continued, “but was unable to provide receipts or any information showing that this took place.”

The arrest report listed many visits to several stores, starting with various Walmart locations, gathered from spending with the card.

Sandra Jean Yeager's arrest report includes a list of 20 dates from October through December that she visited a single Walmart in The Villages, spending a total of $1,132.46 there, Jan. 26, 2024. (Wildwood Police Dept.)

First, there are 20 dates from October through December that she visited a single Walmart in The Villages, spending a total of $1,132.46 there.

Separately, it lists the same store a second time on Nov. 14, for a total of $191.53.

Sandra Jean Yeager's arrest report continues with more spending she allegedly made, coming to a grand total of $3,486.64, Jan. 26, 2024. (Wildwood Police Dept.)

The next page lists nine visits to five other Walmarts, along with multiple visits to eight other shops, and online with Google.

The total came to $3,486.64, according to the arrest report.

Yeager was charged with grand theft of between $750 and $5,000, and with exploitation of an elderly person. Both are felonies.

She was booked later in the morning of Jan. 26, and spent 26 hours in jail before her release.

Full Article & Source:
Caretaker charged with spending thousands of dollars with dementia patient's debit card

Man pretends to be 94-year-old woman’s son to exploit her in Miami-Dade, prosecutors say

Andrew Perez, Reporter
Andrea Torres, Digital Journalis

Police officers arrested Alejandro F. Diaz Torriente on Friday in Miami-Dade County. (MDCR)

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A 65-year-old man is facing charges on Friday for allegedly defrauding a 94-year-old woman out of her home and social security benefits in Miami-Dade County, prosecutors said.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle announced that a four-month investigation resulted in the arrest of Alejandro F. Diaz Torriente.

“It just breaks your heart to see what people are willing to do to another human being,” Fernandez Rundle said.

The victim purchased the home, valued at about $600,000, over four decades ago in Miami-Dade, according to prosecutors.

Diaz Torriente met the woman in 2020, and after she became incompetent, her neighbor’s daughter became her legal guardian last year, according to Fernandez Rundle.

Diaz Torriente allegedly lied about being the woman’s son. After a visit by The Florida Department of Children and Families in July, Diaz Torriente moved into the woman’s home and changed the locks, according to prosecutors.

Investigators found he had stolen nearly $20,000 in social security benefits and earlier this year filed a fraudulent title to add himself as a joint tenant with a right of survivorship to her home, according to Fernandez Rundle.

Diaz Torriente is facing charges of an organized scheme to defraud, first-degree exploitation of an elderly person, second-degree exploitation of an elderly person, and grand theft of a person over 65.

Fernandez Rundle asked anyone with information about elderly abuse and exploitation cases in Miami-Dade to call the county’s task force at 786-804-6723.

Full Article & Source:
Man pretends to be 94-year-old woman’s son to exploit her in Miami-Dade, prosecutors say

Texan gets 2-year prison term for financially exploiting elderly relative in Stillwater

By Patti Weaver

(Stillwater, Okla.) — A 40-year-old man, who is serving a five-year prison term in Texas for violating a protective order there, has been given two concurrent two-year prison terms for illegally obtaining by theft a total of $20,500 from personal and business checks from an elderly relative in rural Stillwater and depositing the funds into his personal bank account in a case investigated by Payne County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Secrest.

    Christopher James Brown of Wylie, Texas, was sentenced last week by Payne County Associate District Judge Michael Kulling, who approved a plea agreement with the prosecution that his Oklahoma prison terms will run concurrently with his Texas sentence. Brown pleaded guilty last week to two Payne County felony counts of exploitation of an elderly person in Stillwater in November of 2020.

 

    On his release from prison, Brown will be on eight years of probation in his Payne County case with conditions including no contact with the victim, provide a DNA sample, be employed and pay $600 in assessments along with court costs.

 

    According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Brown is in the process of being reviewed for parole from that state where he has served about two years. The maximum expiration date on his Texas sentence is March 25, 2026, court records show.

Full Article & Source:
Texan gets 2-year prison term for financially exploiting elderly relative in Stillwater

Disbarred attorney to be sentenced for ex­ploiting elderly Orlando woman

Matthew Roby, 55, pleaded no contest to a charge of exploiting an elderly person after being charged with stealing more than $3 million from Orlando resident Helen Kuhn (shown). (Photo courtesy of the Orange County Sheriff's Office)

By Rebecca Turco

 

ORLANDO, Fla. – Sentencing day is approaching for the disbarred local attorney accused of stealing millions of dollars from an elderly client.

Matthew Roby, 55, is set to be sentenced Sept. 14. Roby took a plea deal in June, choosing not to contest a charge of exploiting an elderly person.

Orange County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Williams said Roby stole more than $3 million from Helen Kuhn of Orlando, spending around $600,000 of it. Williams said the department was able to recover the rest of the stolen money.

Attorney Matthew Roby stole $3 MILLION from Helen Kuhn by fraudulently getting power of attorney & draining her accounts. Helen died June 8 at the age of 108.
Roby agreed to a plea today for Exploitation of Elderly & Grand Theft.
More: https://t.co/w8xubJefsC pic.twitter.com/VlosTiZJtd

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 24, 2022

“Mr. Roby had a lot of bank accounts, and so going through all of the records, you had to track down where the money was coming from, where the money was going to,” Williams explained. “And then from there, where it was going to again and to again. And that was his pattern.”

“It was almost like a little quasi-money laundering scheme he was running with all of his other accounts,” Williams added.

Kuhn, a retired teacher and pilot, died in June at the age of 108, just two weeks before Roby took the plea deal.

As part of the plea deal, the state dropped a grand theft charge and the judge will sentence Roby to no more than five years in prison. He is also on the hook to pay back more than $490,000. 

Kuhn’s best friend, Wanda Jones of Orlando, said she wished Roby had received a harsher punishment.

“I hope he never, ever has the opportunity to take advantage of anyone else again,” she said. “I want to see him on probation for the rest of his life after he gets out."

Jones said she plans to attend Roby’s sentencing.

She described Kuhn, who she affectionately called “Miss Wanda,” as a close friend with a great sense of humor who became a mother figure, with their decades-apart age difference.

AARP has resources on how seniors can protect themselves against fraud. Anyone who believes they, or someone they know, are the victim of elder financial fraud, can call the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360.

They can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.

Full Article & Source:

Disbarred attorney to be sentenced for ex­ploiting elderly Orlando woman

Disbarred Winter Park attorney gets 5 years for stealing $3M from elderly client

by Brenda Argueta

Matthew Roby (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A disbarred Winter Park attorney received prison time after agreeing to a plea deal for stealing $3 million from an elderly client.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said Matthew Roby was arrested in 2021 and agreed to the plea deal Friday for exploitation of an elderly person and grand theft of more than $100,000.

Deputies said Roby stole from Helen Kuhn, a client of his, by fraudulently getting a power of attorney and “draining her accounts.”

The sheriff’s office said more than $2.4 million of the stolen funds were able to be recovered.

Officials said there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call 407-836-4357.

Full Article & Source:

Disbarred Winter Park attorney gets 5 years for stealing $3M from elderly client

Former guardian allegedly stole guns, forged appraisal

16-felony count criminal complaint filed

 

There are more legal troubles for former professional guardian Traci Hudson, who was first arrested in 2019 for allegedly exploiting a 92-year-old man under her care.

 

By: Adam Walser

LARGO, FL — There are more legal troubles for former professional guardian Traci Hudson, who was first arrested in 2019 for allegedly exploiting a 92-year-old man under her care.

Sixteen new felony counts were filed against Hudson Wednesday, involving different victims who prosecutors say she exploited while working as their guardian or power of attorney.

Those charges include exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft and perjury.

The majority of the charges stem from the guardianship case of Robert Moore, who a judge appointed Hudson to care for in 2016.

Robert's son Ryan Moore, who lives in Hawaii, says Hudson was appointed to care for his dad after another family member reported he was being exploited by people who moved into his home.

Ryan Moore

"She wasn't honest about anything whatsoever. Everything she said was a lie," Ryan Moore said about Hudson.

Prosecutor: 10 guns stolen, seven still unaccounted for

The state's attorney's office says Hudson removed 10 guns that were stored at Moore's home.

Investigators say Hudson pawned or sold three guns at pawn shops and sold others to individuals.

"You have seven firearms that are unaccounted for," Prosecutor Renee Bauer said at her court hearing Wednesday.

"I asked her about the guns and she said all the guns had been stolen except for one and it was in a police evidence room somewhere," Ryan Moore said.

Prosecutors say the guns and tools valued at more than $8,000 were appraised by a professional appraiser but were not included in documents Hudson presented to a judge.

"The defendant did a cut-and-paste job. She forged and altered that appraisal," Bauer said.

Investigators say Hudson also financially exploited Moore.

WFTS

Criminal information charging document filed against former professional guardian Traci Hudson

Despite receiving $7,200 in monthly income, Ryan Moore says that while under Hudson's care, his dad had no belt, was dressed in thrift store clothes, and had only one pair of worn-out boots.

Ryan said on one visit, the retired military veteran had two coat hangers wrapped around his waist to hold his pants on.

"He had a pair of boots with the soles completely ripped off except for about an inch of the soles on the back of them," Ryan said.

Ryan Moore

Robert Moore's boot while under Hudson's care

Hudson is still awaiting trial on felony charges filed in 2019 when she was accused of stealing more than half a million dollars from another elderly man under her care. Investigators say she used that money to buy a 4,000 square-foot home, jewelry and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets.

“This is not her, what we heard in there today”

Hudson's attorney believes prosecutors have it all wrong.

"Traci Hudson is a good person. Family person. She takes care of her father, takes care of her daughter, takes care of her grandchild. This is not her, what we heard in there today. And I'm gonna show that to you," said Richard McKyton, Hudson's attorney.

Ryan Moore says Hudson limited his family's ability to see his dad during his three-year guardianship.

Family members were eventually appointed to care for him after Hudson's arrest, but he died a short time later.

"She totally destroyed my family. And that's what I'd tell her, 'hey you destroyed my family. I hope you sleep well at night, knowing you did that,'" Ryan Moore said.

Currently, Hudson's bond is set at $190,000 on the new charges.

Her attorney has asked for that amount to be reduced. A bond hearing is scheduled for Friday morning.

If you have a story you’d like the I-Team to investigate, email us at adam@abcactionnews.com.

Full Article & Source:

Former guardian allegedly stole guns, forged appraisal

Woman accused of bilking elderly couple she was hired to care for

A woman allegedly hired to care for a couple of elderly and disabled Texarkana women is accused of stealing more than $47,000 from them through fraudulent charges and unauthorized cash withdrawals.

by Lynn LaRowe

Patricia Ellen Richardson

TEXARKANA, Texas —A woman allegedly hired to care for a couple of elderly and disabled Texarkana women is accused of stealing more than $47,000 from them through fraudulent charges and unauthorized cash withdrawals.

Patricia Ellen Richardson, 48, was hired by a relative of the women in 2018 to perform housekeeping chores and provide rides to doctor appointments, according to a probable cause affidavit. Richardson's duties were later amended to include daytime caregiving.

The proceeds, $44,332.73, of the sale of an Atlanta, Texas, house were deposited into an account the alleged victims jointly held in March by a relative. Richardson was allegedly given a debit card to make necessary purchases at the grocery store and pharmacy and she was allowed to drive a Nissan Pathfinder owned by one of the women.

Richardson allegedly reported supposedly fraudulent charges as "daughter/granddaughter" of the women to Texarkana, Texas, police in May. Richardson allegedly claimed she didn't know who made purchases at businesses such as Target, Albertson's, Custom Car Care, Hobby Lobby, Harbor Freight, Family Dollar and online charges for games and gift cards.

Using video surveillance, investigators identified a suspect who reportedly told police she used the debit card with Richardson's permission. That suspect allegedly claimed Richardson allowed her to use the elderly women's debit card but that Richardson required her to "work the charges off" by performing the duties the elderly women's family was paying Richardson to perform.

"She said Richardson paid her $35 to $69 a day to clean and sit with the victims (11 hours a day) but said she was always 'working off charges.'"

The suspect denied making all of the fraudulent purchases and allegedly told investigators that Richardson was to blame. The family member who hired Richardson told investigators he was unaware that Richardson was having someone else stay with the elderly women.

Cash withdrawals were allegedly made by Richardson as well.

When confronted, Richardson allegedly claimed the debit card was stolen in March but allegedly admitted to knowing about some of the later purchases, making her claim about a stolen card appear dubious.

The woman who claimed Richardson gave her permission to use the debit card in exchange for sitting with the elderly women allegedly told investigators she met Richardson in prison. Richardson has a history of criminal convictions for theft.

In all, the allegedly fraudulent purchases and cash withdrawals total $47,703.22.

Richardson was arrested July 17 for exploitation of an elderly person. Richardson is currently being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $75,000.

Full Article & Source:
Woman accused of bilking elderly couple she was hired to care for

New Wife, 26, Charged With Exploiting Husband, 77, for Money

TAMPA, Fla. — A newly married 26-year-old woman has been arrested on charges alleging she tried to cash almost $1 million in checks from her 77-year-old husband's account.

Lin Helena Halfon was arrested earlier this month at Tampa International Airport. She is facing charges of money laundering, organized fraud and exploitation of an elderly person. During her first court appearance, a judge set her bail at $1 million.

The Tampa Bay Times reported that when her husband, Tampa businessman Richard Rappaport, was notified by investigators about what his wife was doing, he said wanted to give his wife the benefit of the doubt, according to a warrant affidavit. 

He said he didn’t want her to be deported to her native Israel.

An Amscot employee in Tampa refused to cash the checks. Eventually, two checks worth about $666,000 were cashed by an Orlando business.

Asked later if he felt he was the victim of fraud and fraud, Rappaport told investigators, “yes,” according to the arrest warrant.

Halfon and Rappaport were married in August in Sarasota.

Rappaport's daughter, Dayna Titus, said in an arrest affidavit that family members were unaware of the marriage.

“Titus believed that Halfon was ‘conning’ Rappaport due to his age,” FDLE Special Agent Victoria Morris wrote in the affidavit.

Halfon's attorney, Todd Foster, said the couple had a valid marriage.

"We look forward to bringing forward additional facts to bring clarity to this situation,” Foster said.

Full Article & Source: 
New Wife, 26, Charged With Exploiting Husband, 77, for Money

Guardian stole more than $500,000 from elderly Pinellas man, deputies say

Investigators say Traci Hudson stole more than $500,000 from a man she had guardianship over.

By Kathryn Varn and Daniel Figueroa IV

For the latter part of his life, Maurice Myers lived on his own in a small home south of Sarasota.

Then, in March 2017, when he was 92, Myers was hospitalized twice with numerous health complications. He was released to a rehabilitation facility, then moved to a senior care home in Pinellas Park. There, he’d be closer to his daughter, who oversaw his affairs.

But just months, later his daughter unexpectedly died in October 2017. Staffers at the elderly care home knew he couldn’t care for himself. So they reached out to a professional guardian they knew named Traci Hudson.

Myers soon signed over his power of attorney and healthcare decisions to Hudson. In the 11 months she spent overseeing his care, Hudson swindled more than $500,000 from Myers, according to investigators, and spent it on things like jewelry and Tampa Bay Buccaneers tickets.

A lengthy Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office investigation ended Thursday with Hudson’s arrest. The 51-year-old Riverview woman faces a charge of exploitation of an elderly person and is staring down court orders in dozens of court-appointed guardianship cases she oversees, demanding she explain herself.

Deputies booked her into the Pinellas County jail on Thursday. She was released Friday after posting $250,000 bail. She did not return calls for comment.

The investigation started in November 2018 with a tip from the Florida Department of Children and Families that Hudson may be exploiting a man who she had power of attorney over. The complaint describes this timeline:

After Myers was hospitalized in 2017, he was moved into a rehabilitation facility in Sarasota. He was diagnosed with conditions including kidney failure, hypertension and heart disease.

Myers was discharged from the rehab facility in May and moved into Grand Villa of Pinellas Park, a senior care facility at 8980 49th St. N, at the request of his daughter, Virginia Myers. She died later that year at age 61.

Doctors at Grand Villa told detectives that Myers suffered multiple falls, was showing signs of possible dementia and could no longer care for himself. Staff members knew Hudson because she acted as a guardian for other residents at the facility. She was floated as a possible caretaker for Myers.

Hudson, who previously went by Traci Samuels, completed training and testing to become a guardian in early 2016, according to the complaint. She runs her own company called Florida Guardianship Services, according to state business records, and is listed as the president of the Guardian Association of Pinellas County

Grand Villa staffers reached out to Hudson to see if she’d be willing to take on Myers. She agreed. Myers signed documents Nov. 9, 2017, giving Hudson power of attorney over his affairs and naming her as his healthcare surrogate. Her name was added to his two bank accounts that same day. Unlike court-appointed guardians, power of attorney and healthcare surrogate roles don’t go through the court system and are not subject to the same financial oversight.

In May 2018, Hudson moved him to Princeton Village, a memory care facility at 333 16th Ave. SE in Largo. That September, he was admitted to Morton Plant Hospital with a hip injury. He was discharged after surgery to Wrights Healthcare, a rehab facility, then hospitalized again at Largo Medical Center in October 2018. He was released a few days later to hospice care and died at age 93 on Oct. 9, 2018.

Full Article & Source:
Guardian stole more than $500,000 from elderly Pinellas man, deputies say

Tyler nurse convicted, sentenced to 6 years for Exploitation of an Elderly Person

Karen Madrid (Source: Smith County Jail)

By Stephanie Frazier 

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - A Tyler nurse has been found guilty of exploiting an elderly person, and will spend six years in prison as a result.

On Tuesday, a jury found Karen Elaine Madrid guilty of the charge of Exploitation of an Elderly person. The evidence at the trial showed that Madrid, who is a nurse, met the victim of her crime at a local hospital, and later became his caretaker. The victim, who suffers from dementia, was found by neighbors to have no food in his house, and a missing vehicle.

Adult Protective Services and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation after neighbors reported this. Bank records revealed that Madrid had charged over $25,000 of expenses to the victim, including a vacation for herself and her boyfriend to New York City, according to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.

Madrid was sentenced to six years in prison.

Full Article & Source:
Tyler nurse convicted, sentenced to 6 years for Exploitation of an Elderly Person