Resident Financial Exploitation by Facility Staff
Penalty
Summary
A resident with multiple medical conditions, including a history of femur fracture, major depressive disorder, diabetes, COPD, hypertension, anemia, and generalized anxiety, was admitted to the facility and later became the victim of financial exploitation. The resident's family member discovered unauthorized charges totaling over $1,000 on the resident's credit card, which had been stolen. The charges were made at local restaurants and stores, and the card was never returned to the resident. The family reported the incident to the facility and filed a police report, providing documentation of the charges and the police report number to the facility administrator. Investigation revealed that a CNA who worked on the same floor as the resident during the relevant period was identified as a suspect. Security camera footage and police investigation led to the arrest and felony charge of financial exploitation against the CNA. The facility's abuse and neglect policy, which prohibits misappropriation and exploitation of resident property, was not adhered to, resulting in the resident's loss of property and financial exploitation by facility staff.