Warwick Woman Pleads to Swindling 77-Year-Old SK Resident

WAKEFIELD – A Warwick woman pleaded no contest in Washington County Superior Court on Monday to a charge of improperly managing the funds of a patient she provided nursing services to.

Junie Jean-Baptiste, 30, of 121 Pierce Ave., Warwick, pleaded no contest to a South Kingstown police charge of exploitation of an elder. The charge stemmed from credit card charges between April 2009 and May 2010.

Superior Court Associate Justice Edwin Gale ordered Jean-Baptiste to pay $3,510.43 in restitution and $450 in assessments and to complete 100 hours of community service. As part of her plea agreement, Jean-Baptiste is prohibited from working with any clients older than 60. A no-contact order was also enacted between Jean-Baptiste and a 77-year-old woman until Dec. 5, 2015.

According to South Kingstown police reports including in court documents, a relative of the 77-year-old woman lodged a complaint in May 2010. According to the relative, Jean-Baptiste was improperly managing the woman's money, specifically by taking a credit card out in the woman's name.

Based on an investigation by police and information from the relative, the first charge occurred at the Warwick Target in April 2009.

Jean-Baptiste told police that a cashier asked the woman if she wanted to open a charge account, and Jean-Baptiste filled out the information for her. At that time, she bought a Nintendo Wii for her kids.

According to police, in the next year Jean-Baptiste used the card for more than $3,000 in purchases:

• Twenty-five charges at various gas stations, totaling $833.34.
• Two charges at Target, totaling $624.55.
• Two charges at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, totaling $443.11.
• One charge at Burlington Coat Factory for $199.89.
• One charge at the Nike Store for $119.98.
• Two charges to Verizon, totaling $880.

Police said the purchases totaled $3,100.87, not including $409.56 in late fees and interest. Jean-Baptiste also convinced the woman to authorize $2,460 in cash advances.

According to police, when questioned, Jean-Baptiste admitted to making the charges.

All information is compiled from records at Fourth Division District Court and Washington County Superior Court.