Investigation reveals $694 in theft from HarborChase resident
A home health aide has been arrested after a month-long investigation found she stole cash and a debit card from a senior resident at a Palm Coast care facility and used the card to make hundreds of dollars in purchases.
On December 31, 2025, deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Problem Area Crime Enforcement and Fugitive Unit arrested 32-year-old Katie Swain of Pomona Park.
The investigation began in early December when a senior resident living at HarborChase of Palm Coast noticed several unauthorized transactions on his bank statement. He also discovered that cash and his debit card were missing from his wallet. Through their investigation, detectives determined that Swain, who had recently been hired at the facility, was a care provider for the victim on the day the cash and card disappeared.
A review of bank records revealed a pattern showing that most of the fraudulent transactions occurred in Putnam County, near where Swain lives. Store security camera footage showed Swain using the victim’s stolen bank card to make dozens of purchases. In total, Swain made $664.02 in fraudulent transactions on the victim’s card and stole $30 in cash. The purchases included gas, snacks, groceries, and multiple online orders.
“This woman abused her position of trust and authority as a home health aide for gas, donuts, and trinkets,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “She stole from a senior who trusted her and used his debit card as her own, but luckily for her, there are plenty of snacks she can buy with her own money from the commissary at the Green Roof Inn.”
Deputies arrested Swain for fraudulent use of personal identification information and grand theft from a person over 65 years of age. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and was later released on $10,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office reminded residents to always verify any person or company they employ, particularly when hiring someone to care for a senior or allow into their home. Background checks can be conducted through the Florida Department of Health at https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/index.html.
