A Florida hospital employee entrusted with patient care is facing criminal charges after authorities say she stole a wallet from a 94-year-old patient and used the victim’s credit card for a $500 shopping trip.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Bailey Slater, 28, a patient care technician at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital near Tampa, took the elderly patient’s wallet on Jan. 22. Investigators allege that later the same day, Slater went to a Target store and spent more than $500 using the victim’s credit card.
Detectives released a surveillance image that allegedly shows Slater leaving the store with a shopping cart full of items purchased with the stolen card. Working with hospital officials, investigators were able to quickly identify her as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Taking advantage of some of our most vulnerable community members while entrusted with their care is shameful and reprehensible,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We will make sure justice is served, and we hope anyone considering this kind of behavior understands they will be held accountable.”
Slater now faces two counts each of fraudulent use of personal information of an elderly person and unauthorized use of a credit card, along with one count of petit theft. After an arrest warrant was issued, she turned herself in on Friday and posted a $7,500 bond the following day, jail records show.
In a statement WFLA, a hospital spokesperson confirmed that Slater is no longer employed by the facility.
“When HCA Florida Brandon Hospital became aware that a patient’s wallet may have been stolen, our hospital security team alerted law enforcement, which initiated an investigation,” the statement read. “The individual has since been arrested and is no longer employed by the hospital. The safety, trust and well-being of our patients and team remain our top priority.”
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