Long Island caretakers accused of swindling 84-year-old woman

Three home health care workers have been arrested on Long Island for stealing from an 84-year-old Suffolk County woman who had been in their care for nearly three years.

Danielle Guarino, 55; Teresa Garcia, 53 years old; and Mamerta Gonzalez, 72, illegally withdrew more than $172,000 from the elderly victim’s bank account, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Investigators say the unidentified octogenarian’s daughter entrusted Guarino with blank checks intended to be used to pay herself and other caretakers, as well as to cover expenses for her disabled mother.

Workers had to fill out time sheets so the woman they were caring for could be reimbursed by her insurance company. Investigators say Guarino received $110,000 more than was recorded on his timesheets, while Garcia collected more than $43,000 more than he was owed and Gonzalez received more than $7,000 in unfounded payments.

Guarino is also accused of illegally using the victim’s credit cards to purchase goods worth more than $12,000 on Amazon and then using the blank checks to pay the victim’s subsequent credit card bills. She was arrested Wednesday on two counts of grand theft and identity theft.

Garcia and Gonzalez were charged with grand theft last week.