CHURCH POINT, La. (KLFY) -- A Church Point woman is accused of stealing over $20,000 from a person for whom she has been working as a caretaker for three years, authorities said.

Vanessa M. Venable, 57, of Church Point, was arrested by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office and charged with exploitation of persons with infirmities.

According to St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, a resident reported to the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 7 that her 72-year-old mother had been exploited by Venable, who had been hired three years ago as a 24-hour caretaker for the victim.

Authorities said family members reviewed the bank account that was shared with the victim, and reported that $20,543.79 was missing from the account. Venable had been given access to the checkbook and bank card to pay for the victim’s basic needs. The family also permitted Venable to use funds from the account to pay Venable’s cell phone bill, purchase cigarettes and to pay for gas for her vehicle while she was running errands for the victim.

Investigators said Venable allegedly used funds from the account to pay utility bills for the address listed on Venable’s driver’s license, used the bank card at three different casinos, and used the bank card at gas stations several times, purchasing gasoline from different gas pump numbers minutes apart for more than one vehicle.

Venable was arrested Tuesday and booked into to the St. Landry Parish Jail on $20,000 bond.

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