Caregiver Charged In Death Of Laguna Niguel Woman Going To Trial

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA — Carol Folz was 73-years-old when she died at her home in Laguna Niguel under what the Orange County District Attorney's office is calling suspicious circumstances. Her caregiver at the time, 67-year-old Riverside resident William Marion "James" Carter, was the only one who witnessed her passing.

Instead of calling 911, the coroner, or other assistance, Carter called for a private company to move her body to San Bernardino, where he signed immediate authorization for Folz's cremation, according to Orange County District Attorney reports.

Carter was arrested without incident on March 16, 2017 and is currently housed at the Theo-Lacy Jail facility awaiting trial on Thursday, Nov. 15. He is charged with multiple felonies including elder abuse, attempted grand theft, possession of a forged driver's license, money laundering, forgery, burglary, and grand theft.

From March 10 to March 18, 206, Carter is accused of acting as a caregiver for 73-year-old Folz, his wife's distant aunt. His duties included taking her to doctor's appointments, running errands, and generally keeping an eye on her, according to the Orange County District Attorney's spokesperson, Michelle Van Der Linden.

Sometime in March of 2016, Folz passed away. The details of her passing are not know, as Carter is accused of contacting a private body removal service to transport Folz's remains from Laguna Niguel home to San Bernardino where she was cremated.

Law enforcement, paramedics and the coroner's office were not contacted, according to Van Der Linden.

He is also accused of making false claims that he was both the deceased woman's brother and a medical doctor, then forged a notary's signature on the cremation authorization, Van Der Linden stated in her report.

As this case is ongoing, anyone with information on the suspicious death of Carol Folz, or anyone who believes they were a victim of Carter, is encouraged to call the OCDA's office investigating attorney, Damon Tucker at 714-648-3615.

Photo, OCDA Youtube image of the arrest of William Marion "James" Carter, from March 16, 201