Police: Dutchess Home Health Care Worker Stole Over $50,000 from 93-year-old

A Dutchess County home health care worker was arrested for allegedly stealing over $50,000 from a 93-year-old woman she cared for in Ulster County.

New York State Police – Highland BCI charged 57-year-old Kathleen C. Merritt, of Poughkeepsie with 2nd-degree grand larceny and 5th-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies.

State Police say they arrested Merritt after an investigation revealed that she had stolen over $50,000 from a 93-year-old female who she provided home health care to.

The investigation found that Merritt gained access to the victim’s financial accounts and proceeded to unlawfully withdraw from them.

Following her arrest Merritt was allegedly found to be in possession of around 700 mg of cocaine.

Merritt was arraigned at the Town of Plattekill Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail in lieu of $150,000/$300,000 cash/secured bond. She is due back in the Town of Lloyd Court on June 14.