Hospice Worker Accused Of Stealing From Dying Patient's Home

A 24-year-old hospice care is facing larceny charges after police she allege she stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from a dying patient's home.

Paloma Stefiny Gomez, 24, of 74 Howard St., Apt. #3, Lawrence, was arrested by Tewksbury Police officers on March 1 and charged with larceny over $250.

According to Tewksbury Police, Gomez is employed by the Lawrence-based Merrimack Family Hospice and had been caring for a Tewksbury man. On Feb. 5, the man's family contacted police and reported they believed items of jewelry, the value of which exceeded $4,000, had been stolen from their home.

Tewksbury Police allege they made several attempts to contact Merrimack Family Hospice without success. They also allege the company was initially uncooperative with the investigation.

As a result, detectives were not able to make contact with Gomez until March 1. Through questioning, they determined Gomez had stolen the jewelry and she was arrested, according to the police report.

While the victims in the case were harmed by the theft, they were dealt a second blow when they learned they would never be able to retrieve the missing jewelry.

Police learned that the jewelry had been pawned in Lawrence. However, it had recently been melted down by the Pawn Shop, because it was beyond the required 30 days to be held.  

Gomez was arraigned in Lowell District Court.