Woman arrested two times within weeks on suspicion of elder abuse
Elderly women report suspicious check cashing.
Nov. 10, 2011
Sun-Star staff
A Merced woman was arrested for the second time in a short span on suspicion of elder abuse.
Edna Lena Morales, 48, was arrested Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. by Det. Dave Alcaraz. She was booked at the Merced County Jail on suspicion of elder abuse, forgery and possession of stolen property.
The arrest follows an earlier investigation in which an 83-year-old woman was contacted by her bank in September about several checks being cashed by Morales.
The woman told bank officials that Morales worked as a housekeeper for her, cleaning and cooking meals a few times each week. When she confronted Morales, she agreed to pay the money back and wrote a $4,000 check to the woman, police said. The check bounced.
Police also believe Morales used the woman's credit card at locations throughout Merced, charging more than $1,200.
During questioning, Morales told officers the woman gave her permission to use the credit card.
Morales was arrested on Oct. 17.
A week later, a second woman reported to police that a check she was missing had been cashed by Morales in the amount of $5,000. The victim told police Morales once lived in her neighborhood. In May, Morales asked the 83-year-old woman if she could do some some housework for her.
Morales also told her she was cleaning houses for Police Chief Norm Andrade and a retired police officer. When asked, Andrade said he doesn't know who Morales is and that she has never worked for him.
The woman noticed the missing check in September, and upon reviewing her bank statements, she noticed the missing check had been cashed.
Morales was arrested at her home Wednesday after Alcaraz obtained a warrant for her arrest. She is being held at the Merced County Jail on $130,000 bail.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents may call Alcaraz at (209) 385-4710 or the Merced Police Department tip line at (209) 385-4708
SOURCE: The MercedSunStar
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