A nurse is accused of stealing more than $140,000 from a blind elderly patient

ORLANDO, Florida – Stream FOX 35 News

A home health nurse has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $140,000 from a 77-year-old blind man she cared for, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Carrie Hutchinson, 46, of Winter Haven, is charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more, exploitation of the elderly and criminal use of personal documents.

Detectives said Hutchinson, who the victim hired in 2020 to manage his finances and household, used her access to his accounts to fund personal expenses, including vacations, online orders and even dental veneers.

Carrie Hutchinson, 46, of Winter Haven, is charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more, exploitation of the elderly and criminal use of personal documents.

The alleged fraud came to light in July 2024 when a victim, suspicious of his finances, asked a retired CFO friend to review his accounts, uncovering what authorities said were years of fraudulent transactions.

MORE STORIES:

Investigators said they found Hutchinson made hundreds of unauthorized purchases, including airline tickets, Amazon orders and cruise payments, totaling more than $141,000. During the face-to-face, she admitted that she had “borrowed” the money for the cruise, but claimed she could no longer pay it back after her release in July.

“This woman’s actions are despicable,” Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “It is unforgivable to take advantage of an elderly man who entrusted her with his savings. Now she is charged with three very serious crimes.”

Hutchinson remains in custody pending the investigation.

STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: