Macomb Co. Caregiver Poses As Power Of Attorney To Pull Life Support Of Elderly Man: Cops

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI — A Clinton Township woman is facing murder and embezzlement charges after she posed as power of attorney over a sick elderly man and told the hospital to pull his life support, according to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.

Linda Polk, 52, was charged with first-degree murder, vulnerable adult abuse, embezzlement, identity theft and illegal use of a financial transaction device.

She was placed in jail with a $1 million bond. She was ordered to surrender her passport and must wear a steel cuff tether if she is released.

Sheriff's officials said Polk started providing in-home care for the 78-year-old man's wife in 2021.

Early last year, the Macomb Township man's health began to decline as well and in October 2024 he was transferred to a local hospital and placed on life support, according to sheriff's officials.

Polk then fraudulently gained Power of Attorney for the elderly man and told hospital personnel to take him off life support, according to sheriff's officials.

The elderly man then died on Oct. 19, 2024, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's officials said Polk never told the man's family and then used her attorney privileges to set up a fraudulent quit claim on the home, embezzle a large sum of money and used his credit cards.

The sheriff's office said Clinton Township police also are investigating Polk related to fraud charges.