BURLINGTON, Iowa — Two Burlington, Iowa women are accused of stealing more than $50,000 from a man for whom they were supposed to be caring.
Police say Cindy Dameron, 54, was an appointed executor for the man from June of 2006 until she was removed from that role by a court in September 2010. Her daughter Jodi, 35, then held that role before she, too, was removed by the court.
The victim had reportedly been left money by his mother who passed away in May 2006.
Police said the man’s Social Security and SSI checks were enough to cover the victim’s expenses, but the Dameron women allegedly took more than $50,000 from the man’s bank accounts from 2006 to 2011.
The money was allegedly distributed in checks written to Cindy and Jody Dameron, in checks written for cash, and for personal bills for the two women.
Police said Cindy Dameron admitted to paying personal bills with money from the victim’s accounts.
The victim reportedly told investigators the women only checked on him about once a month and that they rarely gave him more than about ten dollars in cash. He also reportedly told investigators his cable and telephone were frequently turned off for non-payment of the bills and that he frequently ran out of food.
His landlord reported the victim’s rent was also never paid on time.
Neighbors told police they were helping to care for the man because the Dameron women had not. One neighbor reportedly told investigators the women had instructed the victim not to come out of his apartment and that if he disobeyed them they would not give him food.
Police said the victim now has a representative area agency on aging as his executor, and that his health and financial circumstances have improved.
Cindy and Jodi Dameron are each charged with one count of first-degree theft and one count of dependent adult abuse. They were both arrested and held in the Des Moines County Jail December 29, 2011.