Rumford woman accused of abusing, financially exploiting elderly family member, police say

Story by WMTW

RUMFORD, Maine (WMTW) - A Maine woman is facing multiple charges in connection with allegations of elder abuse and financial exploitation involving a family member, according to authorities.

Sharon Gardner, 59, of Rumford, was arrested Tuesday amid an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Rumford Police Department.

Police said Gardner served as the primary caretaker for an elderly family member and over the course of two weeks, they conducted an investigation with the help of Maine Adult Protective Services, the victim’s financial institution and Rumford Hospital.

According to police, the investigation revealed Gardner diverted more than $1,000 from the elderly family member for her personal benefit.

Gardner also used her family member’s debit card multiple times without authorization, including while the family member was hospitalized, police said.

Police also said Gardner restricted the family member’s access to outside contact, including limiting cellphone use and communication with others.

The Rumford Police Department said Gardner was arrested before the investigation was fully completed due to concerns for the family member’s welfare and the apparent scope of the exploitation.

Gardner has been charged with endangering the welfare of a dependent person and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, which are both Class C felonies, as well as a Class D misdemeanor of misuse of identification.

Police said Gardner was held at the Oxford County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. She has since been arraigned and released pending trial, with a court order prohibiting further contact with the family member.

The investigation remains active and police said additional charges against Gardner and other potential co-conspirators are possible as investigators continue to uncover further evidence of exploitation and theft.

Anyone who believes they are a victim of such crimes, or who suspects someone they know may be, is asked to call the Rumford Police Department at 207-364-4551 or Maine Adult Protective Services at 1-800-624-8404.

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Rumford woman accused of abusing, financially exploiting elderly family member, police say

Bay Minette woman convicted of financially exploiting elderly

Renee Williams(Baldwin County Corrections Center)

By WALA Digital Staff

BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) - A Baldwin County circuit judge set a June 12 sentencing date for a Bay Minette woman convicted this week of exploiting the elderly.

Fifty-seven-year-old Renee Williams on Tuesday was convicted of one count of first-degree financial exploitation of the elderly, the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office announced.

The prosecutor’s office said the case was launched after nursing and social services staff at Crowne Healthcare of North Baldwin reported concerns to the Bay Minette Police Department.

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Bay Minette woman convicted of financially exploiting elderly

Couple sentenced for financially exploiting elderly man locked in room

Kevin Miller and Janice Miller

PINEVILLE, Mo. — A husband and wife from southwestern Missouri have been ordered to pay $5,000 in restitution for cashing government checks intended for an elderly man who was found padlocked in a bedroom in their home.

The Joplin Globe reports that 47-year-old Kevin Miller and 50-year-old Janice Miller of Goodman pleaded guilty Tuesday to financial exploitation of an elderly person. The plea deal dismissed kidnapping and armed criminal action charges. The couple received a suspended sentence.

The Millers were arrested after a McDonald County deputy, acting on an anonymous tip, found 79-year-old Herbert Spell inside a padlocked bedroom of the Millers’ home. Spell told the deputy he had been locked in the room for six months, fed “sporadically,” and rarely allowed to shower.
 
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Couple sentenced for financially exploiting elderly man locked in room