caught a thief!

[bnz506]

So I live with my grandma and she was complaining about money dissapearing. I figured she missplaced it because she has slight dementia (which is why she has to live with someone that and she has fallen in the past). She doesnt like using the bank so I hid her money for her in my room and got myself a camera just in case. Ive had the camera for over a month no action... then yesterday, the aid who watches my grandma in the mornings (while Im out) came in my room and took my moneyz! (not the my grandma's money).  So im going to confront her about it later.

Should I just ask for my money back or ask for money back and ask her resign or should I make a even bigger deal about it? I mean it was only 10-20 dollars, I dont really want to ruin her "career."

[vasaribm]

I would definitely ask for your money back since you have video evidence to support your claim.  As for taking it further, I can understand where this is touchy.  My grandmother also has an aid, assuming a similar situation, my grandma is not the aid's only client.  So, this could be happening to more people.

I would look into requesting a new aid, then, if asked for reasoning you could present your evidence to her supervisors.  Let them decide the fate of her employment.  I would not concern yourself with "ruining her career".  By overstepping her boundaries and committing a crime, she ruined her career herself, not you.

[tristanhilton85]

If she is willing to steal from the people that she is suppose to be helping, even if it is only $20, she should not have a career. There are so many cases of aids/caretakers taking advantage of elderly people. I'd do more than just ask for my money back.

[Stretch]

If she's stealing from you and your grandmother, she's also stealing from her other charges. You should report her to whichever organization she works for.

[colin007]

first of all, huge props to you for living with and looking after your grandmother.

i would not feel bad about her future.  as vasa...said, she ruined her own career with that choice she made.  not your fault.

[Ernest Jones]

I would show no mercy. She is preying on the elderly and deserves what she gets. She's scum and a predator.

[dsc123]

I get that you wouldn't want to ruin her career over a few bucks, but you might also want to protect others who she likely steals from.

[newtogolf]

Call the police, she's a criminal.  Who knows how many others she's stealing from?

[cipher]

Anyone who preys on the elderly is extremely low.  She needs to be reported so she cannot hurt other people as well.

[hacker101]

Go get her for this, first it is grandma, second she is scum.

I agree with everyone if she is doing it to you she is doing it to others, I would call the police you have her on video.

I am sure she will not go to jail for this but she should not be allowed to hurt others, What if hat was all the money grandma had to live on, no one has a right to take from others.

[Kieran123]

Only $20 form you - how much has she taken from others? She could be stealing more than cash too ( jewelery etc ) She needs to be fired ASAP

[bnz506]

Thanks for the reply guys... I was shocked when I caught her.  To show how bad the tension is between my father and his sister (aunt), we had suspected it was her (my aunt) who has been stealing my grandma's money.  This might have been a coincidence but anyway... I confronted her and told said:

"so you took my money yesterday I would like it back please"

She had that trying to look innocent but knows shes been caught face... and with a half hearted "no, no" she went into her bag and grabbed my money and returned it.

I told her "I expect you to resign after you finish today" (I am going to be home all day doing my classwork so she wont be alone with my grandmother).

I went on the company website and filed a complaint.

Im sorry but I couldnt get myself to call the police... ill let her company deal with it.

[cipher]

Good for you, I think you did the right thing.  If nothing else her company needs to know about it.

[locknload7]

I had the rewarding experience of being a mentor at the First Tee here in Austin last spring. One of the core values taught to the young golfers is integrity. What you do when you think no one is watching is such an important part of your character. When I was a kid many of those types of values were taught but not reinforced in tangible ways. What's great about the first tee is those kids leave with a 7 core values that will serve them well their whole lives. And we showed them how those values apply to the game of golf. I like to think it makes the world a little better. Unfortunately some people will only learn the hard way later life and maybe never at all.

[jamo]

Thanks for the reply guys... I was shocked when I caught her.  To show how bad the tension is between my father and his sister (aunt), we had suspected it was her (my aunt) who has been stealing my grandma's money.  This might have been a coincidence but anyway... I confronted her and told said: "so you took my money yesterday I would like it back please" She had that trying to look innocent but knows shes been caught face... and with a half hearted "no, no" she went into her bag and grabbed my money and returned it. I told her "I expect you to resign after you finish today" (I am going to be home all day doing my classwork so she wont be alone with my grandmother). I went on the company website and filed a complaint. Im sorry but I couldnt get myself to call the police... ill let her company deal with it.

Make sure to follow up with the company in the future. For the sake of others you don't want her to talk her way out of it somehow.

[evan01]

Are you sure she is not working for Obama or Tax and take it all Duval Governor of Taxachusetts?

[joekelly]

I think my ancient father's 'aide' is stealing from him but much too far  away for  me to monitor the situation.  My dad is quite dependent on this lady, only 20 years his junior, he's 99 now, so he is highly reluctant to question someone who, more or less, lives at his condo and helps him all day and has been for years. The really hurtful part is my dad's conflicted loyalties as when he accuses family members of 'stealing' and refuses to admit that the aide may be the thief. She is, i maintain, stealing cash and prescription drugs. An ugly scene  that thankfully i am only a small part of.

I commend OP's  response in identifying and disclosing the thief to her employer.

[David in FL]

Call the police, she's a criminal.  Who knows how many others she's stealing from?

This is the right answer! I'm sorry you didn't follow through. No telling how many other people she'll steal from as a result.....