Somerset Co. Caregiver Charged In Theft From Clients

(PRINCESS ANNE, MD) – Maryland State Police have charged a Somerset County woman working as a caregiver after an ongoing investigation indicates she allegedly stole money from the individuals she was caring for.

The accused is identified as Sandra J. Elliott, 34, of Marion Station, Md.  She is charged with more than two dozen charges including two counts each of unauthorized use or disclosure of a credit card, unauthorized use or disclosure of a signature, forgery of private documents, issuing false documents, forgery of an order for money/goods, issuing a counterfeit order, obtaining goods/money through forgery, four counts of fraudulent identification info theft between $1,500 and $25,000, and multiple other related charges.  She was released on $20,000 bond and is awaiting trial.

During the last week of December 2019, Maryland State Police at the Princess Anne Barracks were contacted by a victim who reported the alleged thefts.  Responding troopers began an initial investigation that was turned over to criminal investigators in the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division.

The victim, in his 60’s, reported he and his elderly father were both disabled and live together in a home in Princess Anne, Md.  Both men require in-home assistance and the accused had been hired in November 2019 to provide that help.

The State Police investigation developed evidence indicating the accused made unauthorized purchases, ATM withdrawals and cashed fraudulent checks involving both victims.  The total amount of thefts from both victims is believed to be in excess of $20,000.

A State Police investigator from the Criminal Enforcement Division applied for and obtained an arrest warrant charging Elliott with 27 counts of theft, fraud, forgery and related charges.  On January 28, 2020, Elliott was arrested and transported to the Salisbury Barrack.  She was later taken to the Wicomico County central booking unit for processing and her initial appearance before a court commissioner.

The investigation is continuing.  Anyone who may have had association with Sandra Elliott and believes they may be a victim of a theft is urged to contact Maryland State Police at the Princess Anne Barracks at 443-260-3700.

Sandra J. Elliott