KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A Kissimmee woman has been arrested after deputies say she stole $14,000 from an 80-year-old woman with dementia she was trusted to care for.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 56-year-old Donnitta Jean Vaughn. Vaughn, who is a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant, was reportedly hired in 2019 after a physician recommended that the victim not live alone in her home due to her health.
Vaughn was hired to assist with personal care, household chores, and transporting the victim to her doctor’s appointments. She was paid $720 a week, deputies said.
During another doctor's visit later that year, it was revealed that the victim did "not appear capable of making responsible decisions pertaining to healthcare, finances, or housing matters." Vaughn remained employed with the victim until March of 2021. "During her employment, Vaughn had access to the victim’s financial information, including debit and credit cards, and other personal identification information," deputies said. "In the final weeks of Vaughn’s employment with the victim, the victim’s friend (who had power-of-attorney) learned that one of the victim’s credit cards was missing."MORE NEWS: FHP: Body found in burning car in Orange CountyThe victim's friend discovered several fraudulent charges made with the card.