A caregiver has been sentenced to four months in jail and must list herself on the Elder Abuse Registry for ripping off an elderly woman who she was entrusted to care for.
The woman, Tonya Sue Newby, entered a guilty plea before Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to the charge of grand theft and was ordered to serve 120 days of a four-year sentence. She will also be required to make restitution to the victim and list herself with the Elder Abuse Registry which keeps track of people who take advantage of the elderly.
Newby was charged after the victim’s son contacted police saying the caregiver had taken his mother’s debit card and used it multiple times to make ATM withdrawals and make purchases from local merchants.
Investigators believe somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 was taken by Newby without the victim’s knowledge or consent.
“Ms. Newby controlled the mail so the victim did not even know she had a debit card or that a PIN number had been delivered,” prosecutors stated regarding the thefts, noting Newby would put enough money into the account to cover her thefts but would still fall into overdraft occasionally.
The thefts were discovered when Newby left to take another job. The victim’s new caregiver discovered the discrepancies while trying to balance the woman’s checkbook.
Tennessee in a mandatory reporting state when it comes to elder abuse. If you suspect it, call 1-888-APS-TENN.