Monday, June 28, 2010

Woman Convicted of Stealing From Elderly Aunt

A Lakeland woman faces at least 34 months in prison after being convicted of financially exploiting an elderly relative with dementia.

A jury found Jo Marie Weeks guilty on all three counts: exploitation of an elderly person, scheme to defraud and theft. Circuit Court Judge Dennis Maloney scheduled Weeks' sentencing hearing for Aug. 6.

Under state sentencing guidelines, Maloney would have to offer a reason for departing from the minimum sentence of 34 months, said a spokesman for the State Attorney's Office. Weeks, who has no previous felony convictions, could receive a maximum of 60 years in prison.

Weeks, 32, and her husband, Eric Weeks, were arrested in December on charges they siphoned more than $100,000 from Lelia Boyd, Jo Marie Weeks' great-great aunt, who lives in a Winter Haven assisted-living facility. Boyd, 89, is mentally incapacitated, a doctor and a nurse testified during the week-long trial.

Full Article and Source:
Lakeland Woman Convicted of Stealing From Elderly Aunt With Dementia

See Also:
Trial Begins in Exploitation Case

3 comments:

Holly said...

Family members who steal should be accountable.
What troubles me here is that the Florida State Attorney's Office is willing to be involved with this "family member case" yet, continues to ignore me with the same type of problem.
My mother is being held in Florida against her wishes, in a complete lock down facility, isolated from family members as if a prisoner. She was visiting Volusia County Florida with her daughter, my sister and fell prey to Florida's corrupt guardianship system.
According to Rita Denmark's life style, she is abused & neglected by Professional Guardian Jetta Getty in Port Orange Florida. Getty refuses to allow mother to return to her residence and domicile state of Pennsylvania but Getty herself sent my sister back to PA while assuring her that mother would follow. That was almost 3 years ago!!
I have repeatedly told the Attorney Generals Office that my mother is in danger and I fear for her life yet thus far nothing has been done!
I believe that I am in posession of evidence to show exploitation of an elderly person, scheme to defraud and theft. Why does the Attorney Generals Office not care about this case? Is it because a "Court Appointed" guardian is one of their own, committing the same crime this family member did?
Why is my mother isolated and not permitted the love and companionship of her family? Why was/is she being drugged at the request of Jetta Getty? Why is she denied the least restrictive environment in her domicile state, at home with her family?
Questions about this... ask me
hlpeffer@yahoo.com

Betty said...

I believe the family of Jo Marie Weeks believed in her innocence so I will be interested in their take on the hearing, specifically did they think Jo Marie Weeks got a fair hearing? And if not, why?

Anonymous said...

I find it interesting that assisted living staff are testifying the family was stealing ....... is it because they want the money for their profits.........and cars etc.

How can assisted living be worth $4000 to $10,000 a month for a room and board for one person .....