An orderly at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite faces charges of stealing approximately $250,000 from an elderly relative, virtually wiping out the 93-year-old's retirement income.
Sean Caldwell, 39, was arrested last Friday by Atlanta police and charged with financial identity theft and exploitation of the elderly. Investigators say he began writing checks to himself from the account of his wife's great uncle, Mager Leach, a retired railroad worker, last fall.
Leach is suffering from the onset of dementia, said Atlanta Police Sgt. Paul Cooper of the major fraud unit, and was unaware Caldwell was withdrawing such large amounts from his account.
"[Caldwell] really enhanced his lifestyle," Cooper said.
The orderly, who makes about $600 a week, took several trips on Leach's dime, according to police, staying at the ritzy Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas and traveling to the Bahamas with his family. He spent roughly $4,000 on digital audio equipment for his car, Cooper said, and dined regularly at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and other expensive eateries.
Leach, who requires at-home care, now has only about $40,000 left in his savings, Cooper said. Caldwell, who told police Leach wanted him to have the money, was released from jail on $200,000 bond.
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