Upstate woman accused of stealing nearly $21K from nursing home resident

COLUMBIA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested an Upstate woman accused of stealing thousands from a senior home resident.

Officials said that 46-year-old Crystal Rochelle Walker of Seneca was charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult and breach of trust with fraudulent intent, value $10,000 or more.

She was booked into the Oconee County Detention Center on Friday.

An investigation conducted by VAMPF revealed allegations that Walker abused her power of attorney over a vulnerable adult.

Between Jan. 1, 2022, and Oct. 5, 2023, Walker is accused of misappropriating approximately $20,872.70 from the victim’s funds for her own personal use, with the alleged intent to permanently deprive the victim of those resources.

According to the attorney general’s office, the victim was a resident at Seneca Health and Rehabilitation, a skilled nursing facility in Seneca, during the time of Walker’s alleged misconduct. The facility referred the matter to VAMPF.

The case will be prosecuted by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

If found guilty of both charges, Walker could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with FOX Carolina. For more free content like this, download our apps.