A former home health aide who was previously arrested for stealing from a senior in her care has been arrested a second time after another victim came forward.
Katie Swain was arrested Tuesday morning by deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Crime Suppression Unit, working in coordination with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit.
In early January, management at HarborChase Assisted Living informed deputies that a second victim at their facility had reported fraudulent activity on their debit card. The victim reported that the card went missing during the time Swain was employed as a home health aide and was assigned to care for the victim. The victim also reported that $50 in cash was missing.
According to investigators, Swain made 27 unauthorized purchases on the victim’s bank card, totaling $2,700 in fraudulent transactions. As with the other stolen card from the first case, Swain used this victim’s debit card as her own.
The purchases included $522.57 in items from BJ’s Wholesale Club, including a membership. Swain also purchased food and drinks from Chick-fil-A, Auntie Anne’s, and Taco Bell. She bought sweets at I Love Sugar and made more than a dozen stops at various gas stations. The largest fraudulent purchases were two transactions at Home Depot totaling $807.95.
“Swain’s a senior-scamming, serial-swiping, snack-stealing, soda-sipping, super-shopaholic, whose seniors’ savings spending spree was stopped by detectives,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. “She was entrusted to care for seniors, but instead stole from them using their debit cards to buy things she really didn’t need, thinking she could take advantage of them and not get caught. We greatly appreciate the cooperation from the many retailers who sent transaction reports and security camera video of Swain making these purchases.”
Deputies arrested Swain on a warrant for theft from persons 65 years of age or older, fraudulent use of a credit card, and unlawful use of another person’s personal identification information without consent. She was taken to the Putnam County Jail and booked on her Flagler County warrant. She was later released on a $7,500 bond. This new bond is in addition to the $10,000 bond from her previous charges in the first case.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to always verify any person or company they employ, especially those hired to care for a senior or anyone allowed into the home. Background checks can be conducted through the Florida Department of Health at https://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/index.html.
Video of Swain using the victim’s credit card to purchase a full cart of merchandise at BJ’s is available through the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
