GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – A woman accused of taking more than $100,000 from a disabled adult while serving as the person’s temporary guardian has been arrested following an investigation by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Guardianship Task Force.
Inez Laraine Sullivan is accused of transferring money from the victim’s account to her own over a period of more than seven years, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives began investigating Aug. 17 after the task force received information about a person under guardianship, referred to as a ward, who had lost more than $100,000 while Sullivan served as the temporary guardian.
Authorities said the victim had multiple health issues and was unable to independently manage their financial assets.
After the victim’s rights were restored, the person attempted to regain access to the money but discovered the funds had been depleted, according to investigators.
The Sheriff’s Office said its investigation found that Sullivan made wire transfers from the victim’s account into her personal account over more than seven years. Investigators also accused her of writing checks to herself and making debit card transactions using the victim’s funds.
The information released by the Sheriff’s Office did not specify the exact amount investigators believe was taken, when Sullivan became the victim’s temporary guardian or the specific criminal charges filed against her.
The case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office Guardianship Task Force. The agency said the task force works with the Clay County Clerk of Court’s Office and other partners to identify and investigate the exploitation of vulnerable adults.