A 36-year-old woman named Lashawn Ellesse Owens has been sentenced to six months in jail for stealing thousands of dollars from her cancer-stricken grandmother in Irvine. Owens pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft and as part of her plea deal, two counts of theft from an elder adult and a count of stealing a vehicle were dismissed.
According to court records, Owens was ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution. The incident began when Owens’ family decided to have her care for her grandmother, Phyllis Owens, after she was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Phyllis received a settlement of $421,561.69 from a car crash, which prompted Owens’ involvement.
Irvine police investigator Sarah Voigt provided details of the case. Due to Phyllis’ weakened state from medication, Owens acted as the intermediary between the bank and her grandmother. However, instead of assisting with banking, Owens manipulated Phyllis into signing cashier’s checks under the false pretense of needing them for banking purposes.
Voigt revealed that Owens received a $53,900 cashier’s check paid to Tesla, $60,000 in cash, and another $10,000 in cash. This was done without Phyllis’ consent or knowledge. Additionally, Owens convinced her grandmother to close her bank account and transfer nearly $230,000 to a new account that Owens had access to.
Phyllis eventually became suspicious and scared of Owens’ actions and removed her from the home after just a week. When Phyllis tried to use her new bank card for transactions, Owens, who was still on the account, denied all transactions and reported them as fraud. This left Phyllis unable to make essential purchases.
After straightening out the situation with the bank, Phyllis withdrew the remaining funds of approximately $48,000. It became clear that Owens had taken advantage of her grandmother’s vulnerability and manipulated her for personal gain.
As a result of her plea deal, Owens received a six-month jail sentence and was ordered to pay restitution. The court records do not provide information on whether Owens expressed remorse for her actions or the impact they had on her grandmother’s well-being.
This case highlights the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly adults, from financial exploitation. It serves as a reminder for families to closely monitor and safeguard their loved ones’ finances, especially during times of illness or vulnerability.
Financial exploitation of elders is a growing concern, and authorities are working to raise awareness about this issue. Elderly individuals are often targeted due to their limited knowledge of technology and financial matters, making them more susceptible to manipulation and abuse.
In this case, the swift actions of Irvine police investigators ensured that justice was served, and the defendant was held accountable for her actions. The sentencing and restitution ordered by the court reflect the seriousness of the offense and provide some closure for Phyllis and her family.
It is crucial for communities to come together to educate and protect vulnerable adults from financial abuse. This includes providing resources and support for families, as well as implementing stricter laws and regulations to deter and punish financial exploitation.
By expanding prevention efforts and raising awareness, we can work towards a society where vulnerable individuals are safeguarded from financial exploitation, allowing them to live their lives with dignity and security.
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