Elderly metro veteran with dementia has thousands charged to his credit card
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - An elderly Oklahoma City veteran is facing dozens of thousands of dollars in false credit card charges; his son believes his former caretaker could be to blame. She is already charged with forging a check in his name.
"I'm mad, I'm sad, just all of it," said Paul Lewellen.
Paul's father, Russell, is 80 years old with dementia. He is said to have a hard time doing basic things.
"He can hardly order his pizza; he needs around-the-clock care, and right now I can't do that," said Paul.
So, he said in 2022 that he hired a caretaker, Kelly Baird. Paul also said they had paid her around $600 a week for a certain amount of time per day.
He started getting charges on his father's credit card, which he said wasn't something his father could or even would buy.
Paul said hundreds were charged at a Walmart nearby, another couple of hundred were charged at Ulta Beauty Supply, and another at a local pet shop.
"There were so many charges made online, though," said Paul.
He showed News 4 the credit statement, and it listed dozens, if not more, that were charged on PayPal.
"It's like getting hit in the stomach with a baseball bat," said Paul.
Paul suspected that it was Baird, so he said he eventually fired her and called the Oklahoma City Police.
Eventually, with interest, those charges started adding up, he said. As of today, his father owes over $75,000.
"It's unreal, it's unbelievable," said Paul.
Another part of the story is that his father has such serious conditions with his dementia that every time he sees a bill for it, it's like the first time he has seen it.
"He gets a collection letter now, twice a month; it's a trigger for him. It's like it's his first time seeing it, and it takes a while to get him down from something like that," said Paul.
Paul said he didn't expect to see anything instantly, as to charges or any information. But as of today, he still doesn't know if anything has been done about it.
However, in October 2024, Baird is alleged to have tried to use Russel's checkbook to deposit a check of $5,600 into her bank account. Paul said he called about that too, right away, but the charge didn't come until July 2025.
According to the charge filed by the Cleveland County District Attorney's Office, she was contacted by police, and she admitted to doing so.
News 4 drove to Calvin to ask Baird about the charge and the accusation from Paul. She said she knew nothing about any of it.
When she was asked about the check and that officials had that she admitted to writing it, she denied knowing anything about that, too.
"I don't know anything about that," said Baird.
News 4 emailed and texted the Oklahoma City Police on Thursday, and they said they are looking into the case and hope to have more on Friday morning.
For now, Paul and his father continue getting the bills and information about the credits going to collections.
"It's unbelievable," said Paul.