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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\nPort St. Lucie woman accused of elder exploitation, including draining $100K from accounts<\/p>\n
Barbara Baumgarten also listed as a co-borrower on a $616,550 mortgage, police say<\/p>\n
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. \u2014<\/p>\n
A 60-year-old woman was arrested after an investigation by the Port St. Lucie Police Department in alleged exploitation and neglect of an elderly and medically vulnerable man.<\/p>\n
Barbara Baumgarten is accused of draining around $100,000 from the 85-year-old man’s bank accounts and listed herself as a co-borrower on a $616,550 mortgage.<\/p>\n
She is facing felony charges of grand theft from a person 65 years of age or older, exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult and neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult. <\/p>\n
Baumgarten was arrested with help from the U.S. Marshals Task Force.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, she was booked at the St. Lucie County Jail and remains there on $310,000 bond. Her first appearance was Friday. <\/p>\n
This investigation began on March 18, when an elderly man was found injured on the floor of his Port St. Lucie home by Baumgarten, his caregiver.<\/p>\n
The victim initially reported that four men had entered his home and assaulted him.<\/p>\n
Surveillance footage showed no one entering or leaving the property, and no signs of forced entry or theft. He provided inconsistent accounts of what occurred. <\/p>\n
Detectives determined the victim was experiencing significant cognitive issues.<\/p>\n
But detectives continued looking into the victim\u2019s overall well-being and circumstances.<\/p>\n
The investigation shifted toward concerns of elder exploitation and neglect, and grew into the months-long investigation documented in a 45-page investigative report.<\/p>\n
As the victim\u2019s physical and cognitive health declined, he became increasingly dependent on Baumgarten, investigators found.<\/p>\n
They determined that Baumgarten had assumed significant control over the victim\u2019s finances and legal affairs, including power of attorney and healthcare surrogate. <\/p>\n
Detectives also learned the victim had been isolated from family and friends, and that changes had been made to his estate documents that benefited Baumgarten.<\/p>\n
Records reviewed by detectives showed there was a decline in his financial accounts from $105,971 in March 2023 to approximately $4,897 by April 2026 .<\/p>\n
Investigators also uncovered a $616,550 mortgage on Baumgarten\u2019s residence in which the victim was listed as a co-borrower. That is despite the property being solely in Baumgarten\u2019s name and evidence that the victim was reportedly unaware his signature appeared on the mortgage.<\/p>\n
Detectives worked with healthcare providers, caregivers, family members, financial institutions and other agencies to establish the full extent of the circumstances surrounding the victim\u2019s care and finances.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Children and Families ultimately substantiated allegations of exploitation and determined that the victim lacked the capacity to independently make his own decisions.<\/p>\n
The victim was removed from Baumgarten\u2019s care, placed under a temporary guardianship, and reunited with his family.<\/p>\n
“This case serves as a reminder of the importance of looking beyond the initial circumstances when something does not appear right,” the police agency said in a news release. “Through an extensive investigation, detectives were able to uncover concerns involving the care, finances, and well-being of a vulnerable member of our community and ultimately help ensure his safety.<\/p>\n