A sticky-fingered home-health aide was indicted for allegedly stealing almost $55,000 from a 98-year-old dementia patient.
Tameka Nunes, 31 of the Bronx, allegedly withdrew hundreds of dollars from the victim’s J.P. Morgan Chase bank account from an ATM on almost everyday from May 31, 2011 to Nov. 1, 2011.
Nunes was held on $15,000 bail for grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property charges, said Queens DA Richard A. Brown.
Prosecutors said Nunes was caught on the bank’s surveillance pocketing from $200 to $800 out of the elderly woman’s account from a bank branch on Queens Blvd, near the victim’s home.
“This is a tragic case, [Nunes] was entrusted to look after the well-being of this frail woman but instead allegedly treated her as a cash cow,” said Brown.
The frequent transactions opened a fraud investigation with the bank, who then referred the case to the NYC Human Resource Administration’s Adult Protective Services.
The victim was examined and diagnosis with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Nunes quit her position after allegedly telling a bank investigator over the phone that the victim authorized the withdrawals.
If convicted, Nunes faces up to 15 years in prison.