The Dark Reality of Elder Abuse: A Frost Bank Teller Takes Advantage of an 86-Year-Old Woman
Elder abuse is a dark reality that is often hidden from plain sight. It’s a crime that can happen to anyone, anywhere, and by anyone. In a recent incident in Houston, an 86-year-old woman was taken advantage of by a bank teller whom she had come to trust “like a daughter.”
Cecilia Brown, a former Frost Bank teller, has been accused of stealing $180,000 from her elderly customer. The victim had been a regular at the Frost Bank, where Brown worked, and had built a rapport with the bank employee over time. The older woman had treated Brown like her own daughter and had come to trust her completely. However, Brown’s intentions were far from trustworthy. She had been making unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account for nearly five months before the victim realized that her IRA account had only $1.50 left.
The Houston Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division initiated the investigation after the victim reported the unauthorized withdrawals. The investigation revealed six unauthorized withdrawals from the victim’s account, averaging over $23,000 per transaction. The victim had never permitted Brown to make any withdrawals, and the victim’s signature on the withdrawal slips did not match the signature used when the account was opened.
Investigators also found inconsistencies with the victim’s and Brown’s signatures, which she had forged on some withdrawal slips. Brown had signed as a notary public on some slips and as an authorized trustee or custodian. The investigation also revealed that Brown had taken cash stacks out of the vault, hid them underneath papers, walked them to a teller counter, and stored the money beneath them. She’s then seen leaving the bank with boxes from the counter.
When confronted by her supervisor, Brown claimed that she thought she was doing a good thing for the customer. The supervisor had nothing to suspect Brown of during her employment at Frost until the victim brought her empty account to their attention. The bank reimbursed the victim’s missing money, and Brown was placed on administrative leave before being fired.
Elder abuse is a crime that should never be taken lightly. It’s a betrayal of trust, and it’s up to all of us to protect our elderly loved ones from such heinous acts. If you suspect someone you know is being abused, speak up and report it to the authorities. In this case, the victim was lucky to have discovered the theft, but not everyone may be so fortunate.
Unfortunately, even those we trust the most can be our worst enemies. If you have elderly loved ones, monitor their financial transactions and their accounts regularly. Breaking the trust of an older adult is a serious crime, and those who commit it should be held accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, elder abuse is a crime that can happen to anyone, anywhere, and by anyone. We must all remain vigilant and do our part to stop it. It’s time to break the silence and speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that justice is served for all victims of elder abuse.
