PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A Port St. Lucie caregiver is accused of exploiting and neglecting an 84-year-old medically vulnerable man after police said a months-long investigation uncovered concerns about his finances, legal affairs and care.

Barbara Baumgarten, 60, was arrested Wednesday with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department. She was being held on $300,000 bond.

Baumgarten faces charges of grand theft from a person 65 or older, exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult involving $50,000 or more, and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.

Police said the investigation began March 18 after the man was found injured on the floor of his Port St. Lucie home by Baumgarten, who was his caregiver.

The victim initially said four men entered the home and assaulted him. But detectives said surveillance video did not show anyone entering or leaving the property, and investigators found no signs of forced entry or theft. Police said the victim gave inconsistent accounts and investigators determined he was experiencing significant cognitive issues.

Detectives continued investigating the man’s circumstances and shifted their focus to possible exploitation and neglect, police said.

According to PSLPD, investigators determined that as the man’s physical and cognitive health declined, he became increasingly dependent on Baumgarten. Detectives said she took significant control of his finances and legal matters, becoming his power of attorney and health-care surrogate.

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Police alleged Baumgarten isolated the man from relatives and friends and made changes to estate documents that benefited her.

Investigators said one of the victim’s accounts fell from about $105,971 in March 2023 to about $4,897 by April 2026.

Detectives also found a $616,550 mortgage on Baumgarten’s home listing the victim as a co-borrower, police said. The home was solely in Baumgarten’s name, and investigators said evidence indicated the man did not know his signature appeared on the mortgage.

Police said detectives worked with medical providers, caregivers, relatives, financial institutions and other agencies during the investigation. The Florida Department of Children and Families substantiated exploitation allegations and determined the man lacked the ability to independently make his own decisions, according to PSLPD.

The man was removed from Baumgarten’s care, placed under temporary guardianship and reunited with family, police said.