Roswell Woman Facing Elder Trafficking Charges After Man's Disappearance

ROSWELL, GA — Police say they have arrested a 58-year-old woman after a man disappeared from a personal care home they claimed she unlawfully operated in Roswell.

The investigation into Deborah Callaway began in January after an older man was reported missing from the home in the 1000 block of Worthington Hills Drive, Roswell Police said Thursday. The man was safely found at an Atlanta shelter.

Police said during the probe, investigators determined Callaway was operating a senior care facility at the home.

Callaway did not have the proper state licensing for the facility, where 10 other adults lived, police said.

Living rooms, dining rooms and other areas were converted into rooms where several of the adults lived two or three to a room, police said. Additionally, police said a backyard shed had been turned into a makeshift bedroom.

Callaway was accused of using the residents' financial sources for her own benefit.

Officers on Wednesday executed a search warrant at the home, where they arrested Callaway on charges of two counts of elder exploitation, two counts of elder trafficking, financial transaction card fraud, theft by taking and third-degree forgery, police said.

The adults living in the home were medically evaluated and taken to safe, legal housing, police said.

“What began as a routine missing person call evolved into a major protective operation, fundamentally improving the lives of 10 vulnerable adults because our officers refused to ignore the red flags they saw on scene,” Roswell Police Chief James Conroy said in a news release.

“This case is a powerful reminder that public safety is a team effort. We are incredibly grateful to our partner agencies for helping us ensure these seniors are now in a safe environment where they can receive the care they deserve.”