Former COA Coordinator Arraigned for Stealing $900K from Elderly Dementia Victim

The former home care coordinator for has been arraigned on charges alleging that she stole over $900,000 from an elderly Oliver Road woman with dementia, including obtaining a signature under false pretenses for the victim’s will and mortgage, according to Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone.
 
Kathryn Christopher, 64, of Everett, was arraigned today, Monday, Oct. 17 in Middlesex Superior Court in Woburn on charges of larceny of a person over 60 over $250 and obtaining a signature by false pretense (three counts). 

Christopher was released on personal recognizance after surrendering her passport and was ordered to check in weekly with probation, to submit a list of her current clients and who controls their finances, as well as an affidavit by those in charge of her clients’ finances stating that Christopher is not involved financially.

In addition, she was ordered to stay away from the Belmont Council of Aging, and not to have any contact with any witnesses in this case. 
 
Her next court date is Nov. 30 for a pretrial conference.
 
According to authorities, in 2003, while working as the COA's home care coordinator, Christopher got to know the victim after she was referred to the COA due to her medical state which left her confused and caused the victim to have a difficult time with her memory. 

Rather establish services for the victim’s needs, Christopher assigned herself the role of taking care of the victim, which was a violation of the company’s policy.
 
Over the next four years, Christopher is alleged to have stolen over $450,000 from the victim.
 
In 2004, it is alleged that Christopher took the victim to two separate attorneys in an effort to change her will but theyrefused to assist in preparing a new will. 

A third attorney eventually created a new will, listing the defendant as the beneficiary and the power of attorney. During the signing of the new will, it is alleged that the victim appeared confused and signed her name incorrectly several times.

Authorities further allege that on two occasions the defendant assisted the victim in signing a mortgage for her. The total amount of money for both mortgages was $450,000, and was allegedly used to open the joint account with the intention of using the money to pay for home care.

However less than $5,000 was used for that purpose.
 
During the course of the investigation, a doctor opinioned that the victim did not have the mental capacity to understand what was happening as early as 2004 when she signed a new will.
 
Christopher was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury on Sept. 15.