Release posted on 01-17-25 at 8:30 AM

St. Petersburg detectives arrested Delorse Boyd for financially exploiting an elderly victim for approximately $205,762.60 over several years. Boyd is charged with 1st Degree Elderly Exploitation.

The elderly disabled victim was wheelchair-bound and initially hired Delorse Boyd to clean her home. Later, after having surgery, the victim returned home and hired 24/7 home healthcare and no longer needed Boyd's cleaning services so Boyd assumed responsibility for grocery shopping, paying bills, and picking up medications for the victim. The victim provided Boyd her credit cards and checkbook because she trusted her.

The victim was 79 years old when the financial exploitation started and was approximately 83 years old when the exploitation was discovered by her bank and reported to law enforcement.

Between 07/07/2017 and 09/01/2021, Boyd wrote 176 checks to obtain cash, make deposits into her bank account, and pay her own bills. Boyd fraudulently used the victim's credit card for $20,045.58 for appliances, utility bills, ride-share, phone bills, online purchases, and travel expenses.

Boyd even wrote a check from the victim's account for $3,517.02 to the Pinellas County Clerk of Court to pay for her own criminal and traffic offenses, including traffic tickets and fines.

Our Economic Crimes detectives investigate these cases very seriously and offer these tips on HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF OR A FAMILY MEMBER FROM ELDERLY FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION:

• Carefully select and appoint a Power of Attorney
• Speak with a trusted advisor before making financial decisions
• Systematically check your credit report and all financial statements, especially joint accounts