ITHACA, N.Y.—Ithaca Police Department announced that they have arrested a 64 year old woman on charges of grand larceny and forgery in a case they are calling elder abuse.
MaryAnn Church, 64 of Locke, NY, was arrested and charged with third degree grand larceny, 13 counts of second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and 14 counts of second degree forgery.
The arrest, according to police, follows a months long investigation after police were tipped off to someone trying to cash a forged check. They then determined that Church was an in-home elder care worker who had been stealing from an “elderly disabled veteran” that was under her care. The crime took place over several years and took on a variety of forms.
“The Ithaca Police Department takes all forms of abuse seriously, including elder abuse,” IPD’s release states. “The IPD would like to remind friends and family of those who are vulnerable to be vigilant for suspicious activity and or abuse being committed. If anyone feels that they, or a friend or family member has been victimized by this defendant, please contact the IPD.”
Police can be contacted via:
- Police Dispatch: (607) 272-3245
- Police Administration: (607) 272-9973
- Anonymous email tip address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips