A Gainesville woman has been accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly widow.
Hall County Sheriff's Office spokesman Derreck Booth said Kristy Dianne Barnes, 43, has been charged with felony exploitation of an elder person.
Booth said Barnes was acquainted with the 79-year-old victim because she was a caretaker for the victim's husband. The husband died in July 2019, and the reported thefts began about a month after that. Booth said Barnes was forging checks.
"A family member of the victim came forward and reported to us on Friday, April 3 that she had discovered the checks being written when she reviewed the [victim's] books," Booth said.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Barnes' arrest on Tuesday, April 7 and she turned herself in at the Hall County Jail on Thursday, April 9. Booth said Barnes was released on $16,700 bond the same day.
Booth said investigators believe Barnes stole $35,000 from the victim.
The case remains under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
