A Miami woman working as a caregiver for her mother is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her and spending the money in casinos while also moving into the victim’s home with her daughter, authorities said.
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Charlotte Regina Butler, 65, was arrested Thursday on an exploitation of the elderly charge, Miami-Dade jail records showed.
According to an arrest report, Butler had served as primary caregiver since around 2018 for the victim, who suffers from a disease and requires assistance with daily care and financial affairs.
While providing care, Butler was added as an authorized signer on the victim’s Wells Fargo bank account, giving her access to the victim’s funds.
Bank records showed Butler made frequent cash withdrawals from the account at local casinos, often on a weekly basis, and multiple times on the same day at ATMs associated with the casinos, the report said.
The victim suffered an approximate total loss of $24,000 from ATM cash withdrawals associated with the casinos, the report said.
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Records from Hialeah Park Casino showed player activity in Butner’s name that corresponded with cash withdrawals from the victim’s account, “corroborating that the victim’s funds were used by the defendant for personal gambling activities,” the report said.
The report said the only income going into the joint account was from the victim’s Social Security or other accounts held by the victim, and records didn’t show any attempt by Butler to replenish the funds.
Investigators also discovered Butler and her daughter were living in the victim’s home without paying rent, utilities or cable, the report said.
Butler was booked into jail and appeared before a judge on Friday where it was revealed that Butler is the victim’s daughter when Judge Mindy Glazer ordered her to stay away from the victim.
“I haven’t seen my mom in five years anyway,” Butler said.
“That’s your mom? The victim?” Glazer asked.
“Yes,” Butler replied.
A prosecutor also said the victim suffers from Alzheimer’s. Glazer set Butler’s bond at $5,000.
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