WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A home healthcare nurse is facing multiple felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $140,000 from a 77-year-old blind man she worked for.
A Winter Haven man first hired Carrie Hutchinson, now 46 years old, as a home health nurse for his wife. Once his wife passed away in January 2020, Hutchinson became the man's personal assistant, gaining access to his accounts in order to pay bills, do his shopping and take care of his finances.
It wasn't until July 2024 that the man became suspicious about the state of his finances and asked a friend, who is a retired chief financial officer, to look at his accounts. The friend reportedly found several fraudulent transactions, including:
- $780 charged to his American Express card for "pop on veneers"
- A $1,588 payment to Allegiant Airlines for Hutchinson and four friends to fly to Bangor, Maine
- 270 Amazon orders between April 2021 and July 2024, totaling $4,774
Investigators say Hutchinson stole $141,594 over the course of four years on things like ATM withdrawals, cruises, photography classes, VRBO rentals, pet supplies and personal credit cards.
According to the sheriff's office, Hutchinson was paid $5,800 a month until 2024 when she began getting paid $6,000 a month.
The man confronted Hutchinson about the payments and fired her in July 2024. She reportedly told him that she had "borrowed" his money for the cruise and was planning on paying him back but could not do so now that she was unemployed.
Hutchinson was arrested and charged with grand theft of $100,000 or more, exploitation of the elderly and criminal use of a personal ID.
"This woman's actions are despicable. Taking advantage of an elderly man who entrusted her with his life savings while also paying her a good salary is inexcusable and unforgivable. She is now charged with three very serious felonies," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement.
