Caring for the elderly is a position of great trust. However, Lexington Police said a woman betrayed that trust when she stole from a couple who is well into their 80’s.
Police said Karlen Jett got away with thousands of dollars in forged checks and stolen jewelry, before the 84-year old man and woman realized something was wrong.
LEX 18 News crews sat down with the victims’ daughter, who fears there may be other victims out there.
“The reality is, that it can happen to anyone,” said Joyce Watts. Even a close knit family, like hers, can fall victim to fraud. It’s a truth that’s hard for Watts to face.
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“I was shocked and disappointed and very hurt for my family. My parents cared for her and we trusted her, they trusted her with everything,” said Watts.
Her Father and his wife trusted Jett, who was their full time caregiver for nearly two years. That is, until they noticed a discrepancy in their bank statement this Saturday, and talked to Jett.
“She told me that she had done these things and that she knew that it was wrong,” said Watts. “She forged checks. She made checks out to herself and she forged their signature to them.”
Watts said that over the last few months Jett took around $10,000 dollars in at least seven stolen checks. Watts said Jett then went to the Bank Of The Bluegrass where a relative works. The bank president told LEX 18 News that she did not want to comment on the case.
“She cashed them all at the same bank,” said Watts.
Watts said Jett also stole jewelry and pawned it. Priceless family heirlooms now gone, in a way this family never expected.
“That’s one of the saddest things about this. She took the best care of her and why she would risk going to prison? I don’t know,” said Watts.
Watts said they hired Jett through Assisting Hands Home Care, who did a background check. A representative from their company said Jett only worked for their company for one day, before the elderly couple hired her full time. Jett then worked as an individual caregiver, unassociated with an agency.
Now as this family starts their search over, they’re keeping faith, but say they can never fully trust again.
“Pray that things like this don’t happen,” said Watts. “I hope it never happens to anyone, it’s so very painful.”
Jett was arrested for two counts of exploiting adults, having forged checks and tampering with evidence. As of Monday night she was in the Fayette County Detention Center and did not wish to tell her side of the story.
If you know of anyone else who might have fallen victim to this crime, you’re asked to call police.
