ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A St. Petersburg woman has been arrested for allegedly exploiting an elderly and disabled victim out of over $200,000.
65-year-old Delorse Boyd was taken into custody by St. Petersburg Police detectives and charged with first-degree elderly exploitation.
The victim, who was wheelchair-bound, initially hired Boyd as a house cleaner. After undergoing surgery, the victim required 24/7 home healthcare and no longer needed Boyd’s cleaning services. However, Boyd continued to assist the victim with tasks such as grocery shopping, bill paying, and picking up medications.
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The victim, trusting Boyd, provided her with access to credit cards and her checkbook. This trust was allegedly exploited by Boyd over several years.
Between July 2017 and September 2021, Boyd is accused of:
- Writing 176 checks to obtain cash, make deposits into her own bank account, and pay her personal bills.
- Fraudulently using the victim’s credit card for over $20,000 in expenses, including appliances, utility bills, ride-sharing, phone bills, online purchases, and travel.
- Writing a check for over $3,500 to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court to pay for her own criminal and traffic offenses.
The total amount of financial exploitation is estimated to be $205,762.60.
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The St. Petersburg Police Department’s Economic Crimes detectives offer the following tips to protect against elderly financial exploitation:
- Stay involved: Maintain regular contact with elderly family members and friends, and be aware of their financial activities.
- Monitor accounts: Regularly review bank statements and credit card activity for any suspicious transactions.
- Limit access: Be cautious about who has access to financial information and accounts.
- Seek advice: Consult with trusted professionals, such as attorneys or financial advisors, when making significant financial decisions.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect elderly exploitation, contact your local law enforcement agency.
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