Bedfast West Des Moines Woman Accuses Caregiver of Theft

The family of a bedfast 90-year-old woman thinks an in-home caregiver stole some family heirlooms, according to a report on file at the West Des Moines Police Department.

The victim’s grandson reported the theft. According to Officer Chris Morgan’s report, the woman’s long-time housekeeper noticed recently that a cut crystal candy dish with a handle and a sterling silver sugar bowl and cream pitcher were missing from their usual spot on shelves in the living room.

The victim’s grandson said that when he contacted the company providing in-home nursing service, he learned his grandmother’s care had been outsourced because of understaffing, according to the report. However, the original company was unable to provide the family the name of the other company to which the nursing services had been contracted.

The family is not able to identify the caregiver they think may be responsible for the theft of the heirlooms, because a log book caregivers were required to sign was also missing. The victim’s grandson told police his grandmother was receiving “very poor-level” care.

About a week ago, a caregiver reportedly spent her entire time at the woman’s home in the living room, rather than taking care of the client, and was either talking to herself or to someone else most of the day. Because the victim is confined to her bed, she was unable to see if anyone had entered her home, Morgan wrote in his report

According to the police report, the victim’s family is looking into new arrangements for her care and also plans to file a complaint against the company they originally contracted with for the woman’s care.