A Bayfield caretaker was arrested on suspicion of stealing more than $3,000 from an at-risk adult who was under her care.
Jimi Hendricks, 46, provided daily assistance to a 79-year-old Durango man for more than two years. She helped him complete tasks and manage money, according to an arrest affidavit filed in La Plata County Combined Courts.
She was employed by Community Connections, a Durango nonprofit that provides assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
According to the affidavit, Hendricks used the client’s debit card for personal use, including groceries, automotive parts, pet food, DVDs/CDs, pillows, curtains and a home printer. She also used it for ATM withdraws and the cash back option at Walmart, the affidavit says.
The suspected theft occurred between July and February.
Jeffrey Newman, a case manager with Community Connections, became suspicious after reviewing the man’s bank ledger, which showed purchases for gas and automotive parts. But the client doesn’t own a car, according to the affidavit.
Hendricks was the client’s sole caretaker, and it was rare for any other employee to provide assistance, the affidavit says.
Community Connections has strict policies that prohibit employees from using a client’s money for personal purchases, including for fuel and meals.
An employee with Community Connections sent Hendricks an email inquiring about the purchase of auto parts, and Hendricks responded by saying she used the man’s card to hold a part for her car and claimed she gave the client cash in return.
A review of Walmart receipts from July through January found several items that were inconsistent with the man’s purchasing habits, according to the arrest affidavit. For example, there were several pet food purchases, but the victim does not have a pet, the affidavit says. Other examples include medications, diaper rash cream and automotive tools.
In an interview with police, Hendricks admitted to using the man’s debit card on several occasions to purchase personal items, but she said she provided the man with cash for the transactions. She confirmed that she never had the man sign receipts, according to the affidavit.
Police told Hendricks they obtained a search warrant for her house in Bayfield, and she said she may have accidentally used the man’s debit card to make personal purchases.
In February, Hendricks called the case manager at Community Connections to ask if there was any way to solve the situation without going to court, according to the affidavit. She said she had some money she could pay back.
She was charged Monday with three felonies: identity theft, theft from an at-risk adult and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device.
shane@durangoherald.com
