An aide at a local assisted living facility was arrested after reportedly stealing from patients during a holiday shopping trip.
Patience Lowery James, 37, an employee of Lady Lake Specialty Care assisted living facility, had taken three patients shopping and had been entrusted with envelopes containing $1,500, $2,500 and $2,000 cash.
Shortly after the shopping trip, one of the residents reported he was missing $700.
Additionally, it was determined that James had turned in receipts not consistent with items brought back by the trio who had gone shopping with her.
During an interview Thursday at the Lady Lake Police Department, she denied stealing money from the victims.
She was arrested on multiple charges of grand theft and exploitation of the elderly. She was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $12,000 bond.