Criselda Chavera, a caretaker, was arrested Monday after an investigation revealed she had stolen a total of $507,550 from an elderly woman under her care over nearly two years, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by NewsWest 9.
The affidavit states that Chavera, employed by Nurses Unlimited (now Accent Care), began cashing forged checks from the victim’s Wells Fargo account on January 5, 2023. The checks, totaling 117 in number, were cashed until December 1, 2024, for a total of $337,300. Chavera had access to the victim’s checkbook while serving as a caretaker at Manor Park Assisted Living.
The victim’s daughter, who held power of attorney for her mother, discovered the theft after reviewing bank statements. It was revealed that Chavera had stolen the checkbook and forged her patient’s signature to cash the checks, the affidavit states.
The total stolen amount reached $507,550, with the victim’s daughter requesting restitution. Chavera’s employment with Accent Care began in 2000, and she had been the primary caretaker for the victim, occasionally assisting with other clients.
After reviewing the records, investigators found that the checks were not in chronological order, suggesting Chavera had access to more than one checkbook. An arrest warrant was issued, and Chavera was taken into custody.
She is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.
