POMPANO BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - Deputies have arrested a woman who, they said, stole from a 100-year-old Pompano Beach woman whom she was supposed to be taking care of.
Esther Gonzalez, 60, appeared before a Broward County judge on Wednesday following her arrest by Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies earlier in the week.
According to BSO, Gonzalez was using the 100-year-old’s credit cards and spent $3,000 to hire an attorney for her son, who was in jail.
As BSO detective Ronald Cusumano investigated Gonzalez, he said she confessed to her crimes.
“Eventually, I questioned her, and she did admit to at least one of the credit cards being used,” he said. “Once the family got involved, they started checking her financial records, the different credit cards. They discovered there was numerous transactions on various credit cards.”
Nicholas said she was stunned, and her family said they are relieved Gonzalez was arrested. She faces charges of unauthorized use of credit card and exploitation of the elderly.
“I’m angry, very angry because I always treated her very well and never gave her a problem of any kind while she was here. They trusted her completely,” Gladys Nicholas, the victim, said.
The investigation began when Nicholas noticed missing jewelry including her wedding ring, which she has had for almost 80 years.
“I went over there and opened the drawer, empty, and I thought, ‘What in the world is going on here?'” Nicholas said. “We were married 67 years, so I had that for a long time, and it was a beautiful set.”
The 60-year-old has not been accused of stealing Nicholas’ jewelry, but detectives said they are continuing to investigate the case.
“Everybody’s innocent until proven guilty, but, you know, we’re thankful that we seem to have this one resolved,” Ryan Nicholas, the victim’s grandson, said.
Gonzalez bonded out of the Broward County Jail on Wednesday. As she left the facility, she said to 7News cameras, “It’s not true. I’m innocent. Speak to my lawyer.”
The judge ordered, when she is released, Gonzalez cannot contact the victim, and she is not allowed to be a caretaker until further notice.
When asked what is the secret to her longevity, Nicholas said, “I pray to God that I am this age, and I’ve tried to live a good life for all my life.”
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