Home Health Care Worker Charged With Using Disabled Patient's Debit Card Illegally

Date Added: November 02, 2017 5:14 pm

Laura Williams
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

HOME HEALTH CARE WORKER CHARGED WITH USING DISABLED PATIENT’S DEBIT CARD ILLEGALLY

A 33-year-old certified nursing assistant (CNA) who took care of a disabled female patient is charged with illegally using the patient’s debit card for more than $1,500.

Ureka Harris of Daytona Beach was employed by America’s Best Caregivers Inc. and served several times as a fill-in caretaker at the home of the 41-year-old patient in New Smyrna Beach. The patient is disabled and receives continual care from home health-care workers.
 
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, the victim notified the Sheriff’s Office that someone had used her Wells Fargo debit card without her permission totaling $1,574.08. Ten fraudulent charges were made since July 24, including payments to Florida Power & Light; Direct General Insurance; the city of Daytona Beach and Boost Mobile.  The investigating deputy traced the payments to Harris. Harris has been fired from ABC Inc. and her CNA license was revoked.
 
Harris was interviewed Thursday, Nov. 2, about the unauthorized charges. She told the deputy the victim had allowed Harris to use her debit card one time to pay an FP&L utility bill. Harris was arrested and charged with illegal use of credit cards more than twice and grand theft of less than $5,000.