Woman Faces Criminal Use Of Personal ID Of A Person Over 60-Years-Old Charge: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — A caregiver stole more than $14,000 from the 80-year-old woman she cared for in Poinciana from 2019 to 2021, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Donnitta Jean Vaughn, 56, of Kissimmee was arrested on charges of criminal use of personal ID of a person over 60-years-old, exploitation of the elderly, fraudulent use of credit cards, obtaining property by fraud and grand theft.

Vaughn is in the Polk County Jail being held on $18,000 bond, deputies said.

She detectives she felt she wasn't getting paid enough, and knew the victim did not have the mental capacity to give permission for an increased salary, so she began using the victim's credit cards to pay her bills and purchase other items, the sheriff's office said.

Vaughn, a licensed certified nursing assistant (CNA), had been making $720 a week as the victim's caregiver. After a doctor's visit in December 2019, it was determined that the victim would not be able to make decisions pertaining to healthcare, finances or housing matters, deputies said.

A friend of the victim's, who had power-of-attorney, saw that one of her credit cards was missing at the beginning of 2021. This alerted the friend to review charges on the victim's credit card statement. Several fraudulent charges were shown on the statement, and unknown activity appeared on the victim's credit report, the sheriff's office said.

Vaughn is accused by investigators of receiving $4,868 more than her salary following a review of bank statements and credit reports. Payments were also made to Duke Energy that were credited to Vaughn's house account, deputies said.

Three credit cards belonging to the victim had been used by Vaughn to purchase clothing, cosmetics, bath, food and childcare fees, according to authorities.

“Licensed medical professionals are entrusted with caring for and protecting people during their most vulnerable moments," Sheriff Grady Judd. "Instead of caring for the victim, Vaughn took advantage of her situation and stole thousands of dollars from her. Thankfully, the victim’s friend called us right away, and we will do everything in our power to ensure Vaughn is held accountable.”