CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. (Gray News) — Thomas Glenn North III, a 64-year-old man from Georgia, has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, with the first 10 years to be served behind bars, after pleading guilty to charges related to the theft of $1.35 million from his elderly mother. North’s crime, which involved neglect, exploitation, and theft, was uncovered after a family member noticed alarming financial discrepancies.
The Woodstock Police Department began their investigation after it was discovered that the victim’s bank account had been drained and that her assisted living facility was evicting her due to unpaid rent. North, who held power of attorney for his mother, systematically withdrew funds from her bank account and trust fund over a period of three years, draining her life savings and forcing her into financial distress.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Hines described the case as one of betrayal at a vulnerable time. “The victim trusted her son to safeguard her finances and well-being,” Hines said. “Instead, he shamelessly took funds from a family trust, stole the proceeds of her home sale, and completely depleted her life savings.”
In addition to his prison sentence, North must repay the $1.35 million he stole, at a rate of $50,000 per year. He is also prohibited from contacting his mother or any member of her family.
District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway emphasized the devastating nature of the crime: “What is especially shocking about this case is that this defendant brazenly withdrew thousands of dollars on a regular basis until his mother was left penniless and no longer able to support herself. A lifetime of savings was wiped out in just three years.”
This case highlights the tragic prevalence of elder abuse, particularly when it involves family members entrusted with the care and financial security of vulnerable loved ones.
