RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (VDN) — A former Pearl police officer has been arrested and charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing $32,000 from the home of a dying woman during an emergency call.
According to police records, Christopher Taylor Loftin was one of several officers who responded to a 911 call on November 18 for Jackie Kelly, 80, who had collapsed and later died from a suspected blood clot.
Following the incident, Kelly’s son, Jason Kelly, reported that his father discovered the money missing after emergency personnel left. Pearl police returned to the scene, where Loftin admitted to opening a drawer and seeing the cash but claimed he left it untouched.
Jason Kelly told Mississippi Today that Loftin had turned off his body camera and stole the $32,000.
Loftin was fired shortly after the incident and has now been formally charged with grand larceny.
Pearl Police Chief Nick McLendon addressed the arrest in a public statement:
“Although the wheels of justice may sometimes turn slowly, justice is approaching for Taylor Loftin. Accountability applies to everyone, including those who wear the badge.”
Chief McLendon emphasized that maintaining public trust requires holding officers to a higher standard and affirmed the department’s ongoing cooperation with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.
Loftin’s bond has been set at $50,000.
