An in-home caregiver in New Smyrna Beach was arrested after deputies say she used a client’s credit card to buy hundreds of dollars’ worth of food, candy, clothes and gas, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
- Michelle Laureano, 29, faces multiple charges including exploitation of the elderly
- Deputies say she charged $1,608.87 to her client's credit card
Michelle Laureano, 29, of Palm Coast was charged with exploitation of the elderly, grand theft and illegal use of credit cards.
Investigators say the 83-year-old victim noticed her credit card statements were higher than normal, and she contacted the Sheriff’s Office. According to the victim, she gave Laureano her credit card to buy groceries and other items she needed.
The woman told deputies she noticed $600 in unauthorized charges, and a few days later, she found $400 more in unauthorized charges.
Deputies said the total amount of unauthorized transactions made to the victim’s card was $1,608.87.
According to deputies, Laureano had worked as the victim’s caretaker for more than a year.
Laureano was taken to the Volusia County Branch Jail. She was released after posting bail Wednesday evening.