Nursing Assistant Accused Of Taking Money From Disabled Veteran

BAYONET POINT, FL — A 38-year-old nursing assistant was arrested after Pasco County Sheriff's deputies said she took money from a disabled veteran with dementia.

Allyn Lopez of Shade Street Court in Hudson was charged with exploitation of the elderly/disabled Tuesday after the sheriff's office said she had her patient write two checks to her totaling $6,000.

The patient, who is also an amputee, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and dementia in 2017. The sheriff's office said Lopez befriended the patient while working as a certified nursing assistant from October 2016 and July 2019 at the Bayonet Point assisted living facility where he lives.

The sheriff's office said Lopez was aware that the patient lacked the mental capacity to make financial decisions when she accepted and cashed his checks.

Lopez was transported to the Land O' Lakes Detention Center where bond was set at $5,000.