Charges Dropped Against Woman Accused of Defrauding Elderly Petaluma Resident

A Sonoma County Superior Court judge has rule there is insufficient evidence that an in-home caregiver stole thousands of dollars from an 89-year-old Petaluma man.

After a preliminary hearing, Judge Gary Medvigy discharged Kirra Shareen Beck, 23, of Santa Rosa, who was charged with one count of elder financial abuse. Petaluma police said Beck was caring for the 89-year-old Petaluma
man, who suffers from dementia.

In June, the man's daughter told police there were approximately $6,000 in unauthorized withdrawals from her father's bank account, Petaluma
police Lt. Tim Lyons said.

There were several $200-$300 withdrawals in April and June, Lyons said. Surveillance video from the elderly man's bank showed Beck making 24 ATM withdrawals from his account, Lyons said.

The victim's daughter raised suspicions about Beck to her employer, the At-Home Nursing company of Santa Rosa, and Beck was subsequently fired for unknown reasons, Lyons said.

Beck visited the Petaluma man at least once while she was off duty to learn about his medical appointments, and made phone inquiries about him to his daughter after she was fired, Lyons said. Beck was arrested July 25.

-Bay City News