A woman faces a felony charge after being accused of stealing jewelry and clothing from a Buckhead home she was paid to housesit, authorities said.
Meaghan Marie Owens, of Alpharetta, was hired to watch the home and the family’s pets while they celebrated birthdays out of town, Channel 2 Action News reported.
“My husband passed away right around both of my children’s birthdays, and we had decided to delay the celebration of their birthdays,” the homeowner, who asked Channel 2 to remain anonymous, said. “So we (were) going away for a long weekend to celebrate their birthdays.”
She told the news station that Owens reached out to her after she made a Facebook post looking for someone to hire to watch her belongings and pets. The woman allegedly met Owens “multiple times” before giving her the job. She also said Owens’ references checked out, with them saying she was “a good option.”
However, when she and her children arrived home two weekends ago, they were devastated to find the house in disarray.
“There are drawers all over the floor. Everything is covered all over my house. Everything is off,” she told Channel 2.
According to an Atlanta police incident report obtained by AJC.com, officers found the family’s clothing, jewelry and other valuables in Owens’ car before charging her with a count of felony theft last Monday.
“Please be extremely careful when (you) hire care for your pets and children,” the woman warned others.
Owens is out of the Fulton County jail on a $3,000 bond, jail records show.
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