Minus Shaline Downey charged with defrauding 89-year-old woman
North Preston woman accused of writing fraudulent cheques and using victim's credit card
A 32-year-old home-care worker, facing a slew of charges for allegedly defrauding her 89-year-old patient of thousands of dollars, has been released on bail.
Halifax Regional Police say Minus Shaline Downey, of North Preston, was arrested on Friday and held over the weekend.
She appeared in Dartmouth provincial court Monday afternoon charged with several counts of fraud. She was released on $5,000 bail and ordered to stay away from seniors' care homes.
Police say Downey was working with the victim daily in Dartmouth. They allege she wrote fraudulent cheques from the woman's bank account and used her credit card to make online purchases.
"Given the fact that Ms. Downey worked for a home-care company and [allegedly] took advantage of an elderly victim, we do believe there may be more victims of this individual or even more victims of any other person who may have taken advantage of elderly or senior citizens," said Const. Pierre Bourdages.
Downey faces three counts each of theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, uttering forged documents, forgery and one count of fraud over $5,000. Police anticipate more charges.