BSO: Caretaker Stole From Elderly Victims

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

BROWARD (CBSMiami) – Broward Sheriff's detectives want to know if Moira Sullivan, the caretaker accused of stealing from two women in their 90s, had more victims in the community.

Sullivan is accused of stealing high-end jewelry from a two women in their 90's and pawning the items. Mildred Gutterman, 96, hired Sullivan as a caretaker one day a week. She said Sullivan often had money problems.

"She was always broke and I would loan her money and she would pay me back," Gutterman said.

But Gutterman recently discovered, on three occasions in June, Sullivan reportedly stole and pawned several of Gutterman's high end pieces of jewelry – a watch, a bracelet and a necklace.

"I feel sad that she would think to do something like that," Gutterman said.

In court earlier this week, Judge John Hurley read the charges against Sullivan. She faces a total of 14 counts. She is accused of ripping off Gutterman as well as a 97-year-old woman that she also worked for.

"It does look like she was preying on very elderly people," Judge Hurley said.

The 97 year old victim told CBS 4 News over the phone that Sullivan worked for her for 3 years and she considers Sullivan a thief.

Broward Sheriff's Office Spokesperson Dani Moschella says Sullivan worked for at least one other elderly person and detectives want to know if there are other victims in the community.

"When you're 96 and 97 years old, you have to trust people to help you," Moschella said. "They trusted this woman and she betrayed them and stole from them again and again."

Mildred Gutterman cannot believe this happened to her. She says she never expected this type of behavior from Sullivan.

"How can you know?" she said. "I didn't."

Sullivan is out of jail on bond and has been ordered not to work as a caretaker for anyone over 65 years of age.

If you have any information on this case, please call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-TIPS.

Investigators said before you hire anyone to care for you or someone you love do background checks on the person and ask for several references.