A 26-year-old in-home caregiver is facing numerous criminal charges for allegedly draining more than $180,000 from an impaired senior adult in her care, according to officials.
MaryJean Small was arrested by detectives from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Unit after an investigation into improper transactions that lasted 18 months.
Small worked as an in-home caregiver for the vulnerable victim from January 2025 to July 2026. Her principal responsibilities included supporting the victim with everyday tasks and purchasing groceries and other household supplies.
According to authorities, Small utilized her position of trust to gain the victim’s personal identifying information, checkbooks, credit and debit cards, and unauthorized access to financial accounts.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office discovered the behavior through bank data, business files, ATM withdrawal logs, witness interviews, and retail surveillance footage.
Detectives discovered 63 fraudulent checks made out directly to Small, totaling more than $82,000. Investigators also discovered the victim’s payment cards linked to Small’s personal Uber account, security footage showing Small using the victim’s debit card to purchase toys and children’s apparel, and a false online banking profile put up in the victim’s name to facilitate digital transfers.
According to officials, the victim does not own a computer, does not utilize electronic devices or online banking services, and informed detectives that none of the payments or checks made out to Small were allowed.
Investigators discovered more than $180,000 in fraudulent activities, cash withdrawals, and unlawful transfers while Small was working at home. Detectives concluded that Small deliberately and purposefully exploited the victim.
Small was arrested on charges of theft from a person 65 years or older, scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of credit cards, exploitation of the elderly, unlawful use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, uttering forged instruments, and criminal use of personal identification information.
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