LOUISBURG, NC — A woman once recognized as a motivational speaker, ordained minister, and community leader now sits in jail, accused of exploiting elderly victims in a disturbing case of neglect and financial fraud.
48-year-old Shirbartis Jones-Alston, of Louisburg, North Carolina, is facing a series of serious felony charges involving the neglect, abuse, and financial exploitation of two elderly adults under her care.
Once a prominent voice during a high-profile missing child case in Franklinton, Alston had built a public persona as a life coach, radio personality, and inspirational speaker. Now, she’s at the center of a criminal investigation alleging she used her position of trust to target vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
According to arrest warrants, Alston stole debit cards, used victims’ personal and banking information, and forged a check in the victim’s name—all while allegedly neglecting proper medical and hygienic care, leading to injuries.
Authorities say Alston used one male victim’s debit card between November 2022 and April 2023, accumulating more than $19,000 in unauthorized transactions. She is also accused of signing a forged check in his name and cashing it for her own benefit.
She faces the following felony charges:
Felony Neglect of a Disabled/Elder with Injury (2 counts)
Felony Exploitation of Elder Trust
Felony Financial Card Theft
Felony Financial Card Fraud
Felony Identity Theft
Felony Forgery of Instrument
Originally held on an $800,000 secured bond, a judge later reduced her bond to $75,000, divided equally per victim.
Alston remains in custody at the Franklin County Detention Center as the investigation continues.
