A Baltimore woman pled guilty to stealing $70,000 from her 91-year-old godmother after obtaining power of attorney and depleting the victim’s savings account, prosecutors announced Friday.
According to the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, Shea Green pled guilty in Baltimore City Circuit Court on September 29 to a theft plan and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Green was sentenced to 10 years in jail, with all save the time spent suspended, followed by three years on probation. She had spent 116 days in house detention prior to her trial.
Prosecutors said Green was also ordered to return complete ownership of the victim’s property after coercing her into transferring the deed in 2018.
The victim, a widowed schoolteacher with dementia, was left without food at home after Green reportedly siphoned funds through Zelle transfers, according to prosecutors.
Neighbors got concerned when they discovered the woman with no food in her refrigerator and learned she had not eaten that day. They offered food and then discovered a tax-sale notice for her home, according to authorities.
Adult Protective Services was alerted, and neighbors assisted the victim in reporting suspected fraud to banks, obtaining a check to pay unpaid taxes, and protecting her home.
Prosecutors claimed bank records showed the woman had enough money to cover her expenses, but Green depleted her savings account within four months.
Cases like this demonstrate the incredible power of a community that refuses to look the other way. The victim’s neighbors recognized that something was wrong, spoke up, supported her, and helped ensure she could remain in the home and community she has known for so many years. Their vigilance and compassion were critical to bringing this crime to light and ultimately allowing us to hold this offender accountable in court,” said State’s Attorney Ivan Bates, via press release. “No one should ever be coerced or manipulated into giving up their home or financial security, especially by someone who takes advantage of their vulnerability. I am grateful to the neighbors and community members who stood beside this victim, and I want to thank Chief Shari Greene and our Economic Crimes and Older & Disabled Persons Units for their tireless work in protecting vulnerable Baltimoreans and pursuing justice in this case. Their commitment ensured that this victim was not only able to keep her home, but will now have full ownership restored to her.
According to authorities, the woman, who is now 93 years old, lives in an assisted care facility but returns home on occasion.
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