Home Health Aide Sentenced for Stealing Thousands in Jewels From Elderly Patients

A former home health aide has been sentenced to six years in prison for stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from her elderly patients in Newtown, Bethel and Redding, according to the News Times.

Wanda Nunez, 30, of Danbury, was also barred her from working in health care.

According to court records, Nunez was accused of stealing approximately $200,000 of valuables which she sold to local pawn shops, the News Times reports. Her attorney said she made $11,000 in profit from the sales.

Gloria Whaley of Bethel contacted Patch because she wanted to make others aware of what her family went through. Her mother, Silvina Cerron, hired Nunez and knew of the thefts, but was unable to communicate with her family due to her health condition. A stroke left her partially paralyzed.

The Newtown victim was Betty Lou Osborne who lost more than $150,000 of jewels and money.

Barbara Baker, a Redding victim, said Nunez stole jewelry from her bedroom while working as a health care aide for her late husband who had dementia.

Click here to read more on the News Times.

Photo: Brian Turner via Flickr Creative Commons