WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — A home health care nurse was arrested for allegedly stealing $141,594 from her blind and elderly client, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Carrie Hutchinson, 46, a private certified nursing assistant, is accused of stealing the money from the 77-year-old victim who employed her over the course of four years.

Detectives said in July, the victim became suspicious of his finances and asked a retired chief financial officer to investigate the transactions in his account.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Below are just some of the fraudulent charges officials said Hutchinson put on his account:

  • $780 for “Pop On Veneers,” charged to his American Express card (July 2024)
  • United Airlines ticket for her friend to fly to Florida, charged to his AE card (December 2023)
  • $1,588 for Allegiant Airlines for her and four friends to fly to Maine, charged to his Bank of America card (August 2023)
  • 270 orders, totaling $4,774 on his Amazon account (between April 2021 and July 2024)

Throughout the years-long theft, Hutchinson used his funds for ATM withdrawals, photography classes, VRBO rentals, pet supplies, animal hospital charges, and for her own credit cards, detectives said.

Hutchinson was initially hired by the victim in January 2020 to care for his wife, who later passed away. According to the sheriff’s office, he kept Hutchinson as his personal assistant to help him pay bills, do his shopping, and take care of his finances.

The man was paying her $5,800 a month up until 2024 when he raised her salary to $6,000 a month.

Hutchinson was confronted by the victim after a trip from a cruise and was fired. She claimed to have “borrowed” the money to fund the trip and that she was planning to pay him back. However, after being fired she told him she could no longer pay him back since she wasn’t employed anymore.

“This woman’s actions are despicable,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Taking advantage of an elderly man who entrusted her with his life savings while also paying her a good salary is inexcusable and unforgivable. She is now charged with three very serious felonies.”

Hutchinson was arrested on charges of grand theft of $100,000 or more, exploitation of the elderly, and criminal use of personal ID.