Flagler County Sheriff's Office officials arrested a home health aide on Dec. 31 for allegedly stealing cash and debit cards from an elderly person in his care. Katie Swain, 32, of Pomona Park, was arrested after a month-long investigation into fraudulent purchases made with stolen debit cards, the sheriff's office said. An elderly resident of Harbor Chase in Palm Coast noticed several fraudulent transactions on his bank statement and cash and debit card missing from his wallet. Detectives determined Swain was the victim's caregiver on the day the cash and cards were missing. Investigators said most of the fraudulent transactions took place near Swain's residence in Putnam County, and store security camera footage showed Swain using the stolen cards to make purchases. “This woman abused her trust and authority as a home health aide for gas, donuts and trinkets,” the Flagler County Sheriff's Office said. Rick Staley. “She stole from a trusted senior and used his debit card as her own, but luckily there are plenty of snacks in the Green Roof Inn concession stand that she could buy with her own money.” Swain is charged with fraudulent use of personal identification information and grand theft from a person over 65 years of age. She was released on $10,000 bail.
Flagler County, Florida —
Flagler County Sheriff's Office officials arrested a home health aide on Dec. 31 for allegedly stealing cash and debit cards from an elderly person in his care.
Katie Swain, 32, of Pomona Park, was arrested after a month-long investigation into fraudulent purchases made with stolen debit cards, the sheriff's office said. An elderly resident of Harbor Chase in Palm Coast noticed several fraudulent transactions on his bank statement and cash and debit card missing from his wallet.
Detectives determined Swain was the victim's caregiver on the day the cash and cards went missing. Investigators determined that most of the fraudulent transactions took place near Swain's residence in Putnam County, and that store security camera footage showed Swain making purchases using the stolen cards.
According to the sheriff's office, Swain used the victim's card to make $664.02 in fraudulent transactions and stole $30 in cash.
“This woman abused her trust and authority as a home health aide to purchase gas, donuts, and trinkets,” Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley said in a statement. “She stole from a senior she trusted and used his debit card as her own, but luckily the Green Roof Inn's kiosk is stocked with snacks that she can buy with her own money.”
Swain is charged with fraudulent use of personal identification information and grand theft from a person over the age of 65. She was released on $10,000 bail.
