Home health aide sentenced to more than 5 years in prison for using her position to steal more than $200k from disabled victim

“Our aging and disabled family members and friends must be able to trust those who are hired to assist them, said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan.  “The fact that Ms. Kidd-Dunbar exploited that trust for her own personal gain, and ignored the needs of two women, one of whom was both blind and physically disabled and the other 90 years old, highlights the egregiousness of her conduct and underscores the need for a significant term of incarceration.”

“This defendant will now serve a significant amount of time behind bars for taking advantage of an elderly, physically disabled woman in her care,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric B. Smith. ”Maybe spending 5 years in confinement will allow Ms. Kidd-Dunbar time to reflect on her morally corrupt and heartless criminal behavior.  Our elderly and vulnerable population needs to be cherished and protected, the FBI will continue working with our partners to educate and root out elder fraud.”

According to court documents, in or around March of 2016, Kidd-Dunbar became the paid home health aide for Victim 1, then 60 years old, after Victim 1 suffered a series of strokes that left her blind and dependent on the use of a wheelchair.  As Victim 1’s home health aide, Kidd-Dunbar was trusted with Victim 1’s debit card information so Kidd-Dunbar could purchase groceries and other household supplies for Victim 1.

In January 2018, Kidd-Dunbar began using Victim 1’s debit card to make small, unauthorized purchases.  Over time, the theft escalated to include larger cash withdrawals and significant purchases from various businesses, including Amazon, PlayStation and Rent-A-Center.  

During the same period, Kidd-Dunbar also assisted Victim 1’s 90-year old aunt, who is identified in court documents as Victim 2.  Kidd-Dunbar was similarly given Victim 2’s credit card information so Kidd-Dunbar could make authorized purchases of groceries and other supplies for Victim 2.  After Victim 2 passed away in 2017, Kidd-Dunbar continued to use Victim 2’s credit card to make unauthorized personal purchases.  Kidd-Dunbar used Victim 1’s bank card to pay the balance on Victim 2’s credit card.  

In June of 2019, a different home health aide substituted for Kidd-Dunbar while Kidd-Dunbar was away on vacation.  This home health aide asked Victim 1 about certain charges on Victim 1’s statements, which led Victim 1 to discover Kidd-Dunbar’s numerous and unauthorized purchases, withdrawals and credit card payments.  As a result of Kidd-Dunbar’s theft, Victim 1 suffered a total loss of $217,096.52.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Elyria Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. McDonough and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew A. Kern.  The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio would like to acknowledge and thank the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office for its cooperation with this matter.