Miami Journalist Kidnapped, Financially Exploited Elderly Mom: Reports

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — A Miami journalist who was a columnist with The Washington Post and often appeared on Fox News is facing multiple charges after authorities said she kidnapped and stole money from her 88-year-old mother, according to reports.

Catherine Areu Jones, 51, was arrested on charges including exploitation of the elderly, organized scheme to defraud, conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and fraudulent use of personal identification, NBC Miami reported, citing the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

Areu Jones was booked into Miami-Dade jail, where she is being held without bond, according to NBC.

Areu Jones is accused of involuntarily placing her mother in an assisted living facility in order to gain control of her money, the Miami Herald reported. When her mother tried calling for help, Areu Jones instructed staff not to let her have access to a phone or visitors.

On another occasion, Areu Jones is accused of physically dragging her mother from her home to place her in another facility, the Herald reported.

Often referring to herself as the "Liberal Sherpa," Areu Jones has made numerous appearances as a left-leaning voice on Fox News.

Areu sued the network in 2020, accusing anchors Ed Henry, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Howard Kurtz of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment, according to The New York Times. A judge later dismissed the suit.