An Orlando woman has been charged with stealing $120,000 from her friend of more than 20 years, investigators say.
Deborah Joan McNeil, 64, was appointed guardian over Eva Watson in August 2015 after Watson had a debilitating stroke, police said.
According to court documents, the judge overseeing the guardianship case waived bond for McNeil.
WFTV legal analyst and former Chief Judge Belvin Perry said that should never happen.
"The guardian should be required to post a bond just in case the guardian does something that's illegal, like stealing money. Now you have an estate that will have to go after this individual to try and recover the money,” Perry said.
Watson died in January.
Police said McNeil has paid back $45,000 to Watson’s estate.
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