Queens DA: Home Health Aide Stole $55K from Forest Hills Woman

A 31-year old home health aide has been indicted for allegedly stealing $55,000 from a 98-year old Forest Hills woman who suffers from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, the Queens district attorney said.

Tameka Nunes, of the Bronx, was arraigned Thursday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder on grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property charges, Queens DA Richard Brown said.

"This is a tragic case of a health care worker who was entrusted to look after the well-being of this frail woman, but instead allegedly treated her as a cash cow," Brown said. "Luckily, bank officials noticed a troubling pattern of withdrawals and an investigation was commenced."

The defendant, who was held on $15,000 bail, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, the DA said.

It is alleged that Nunes, who worked for the victim between May 31 and Nov. 1, 2001, used the elderly woman's bank card to withdraw hundreds of dollars on an almost daily basis.

The majority of the withdrawals were made at a JP Morgan Chase branch on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, the DA said.