A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:
McCullom Lake Woman Arrested for Financial Exploitation of Elderly Person
Patricia Schlitter
An investigation into unlawful transactions on a credit card and money missing from an elderly man’s checking account resulted in the arrest Tuesday and subsequent charging of Patricia Schlitter, 51, of McCullom Lake.
Ms. Schlitter was charged with three counts of Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person.
In May 2014, the victim, 73, reported to the Sheriff’s Office that multiple transactions had been made unlawfully on her credit card and that funds had been removed from her checking account.
During the course of the investigation, several records were obtained by investigators which led to the identification of the offender, who is a family member of the victim.
On February 17, 2015, Schlitter was taken into custody and transported to the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility.
Sheriff Bill Prim reminds residents that elder abuse does not always involve physical harm.
It can also involve the person’s finances including their personal property, investments, cash, and real estate. Sheriff Prim stated,
“Offenders in these investigations can turn out to be complete strangers, newly developed ‘friends’ who take a sudden interest in the elderly subject, caretakers, and even relatives.”
“If you are victim, report it, don’t be embarrassed,” Prim added.
Family, friends, and trusted others are encouraged to look for things that may indicate that a problem is occurring.
These indications may include: unfamiliar signatures on checks and other documents; changes in banks; large or unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts; and a lack of bank statements or canceled checks being sent to the elderly person’s residence.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office offers quarterly presentations on fraud, identify theft and other crimes that occur against the elderly.
Join our next presentation on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Senior Services – McHenry Township to learn more on how to protect you and others.
ARRESTED: Patricia Schlitter, Age 51, 2911 Spring Road, McCullom Lake, Illinois
CHARGE: 3 counts – Financial Exploitation of an Elderly Person – Class 2 felony
BOND: $75,000.00
NEXT COURT DATE: March 4, 2015 9:00 a.m.
Good advice.
We are all vulnerable…..it can happen to anyone, no matter what age they are.
Yes, good advice from the Sheriff and thanks to all the investigators who were on this case.
Cal your headline sounds like sheriff deputies are doing the exploiting
How about companies taking advantage of elderly people
Including banks, Insurance companies and credit scavenger credit card companies
a for instance…..payed up to date, cancelled T-Mobile…only to get hit with a $200 cancellation fee…which quickly bloomed into over $300… T-mobile sells the bad paper to a scavenger credit company..for X amount on the dollar now being hassled by the scavenger for payment….
same thing with direct TV…
I would rather be taken advantage of by a family member than a complete stranger
I agree.
I left out a word.
It has been changed.
Did the junior exploiter get away?
Gus, that is a stupid comment.
I’m also glad that the Sheriff’s department has the presentations for the elderly to protect themselves.
Elder abuse, report it all.
I feel bad for this person and no one should be treated like this, it is a crime.
As you can see the Sheriff’s department is concerned about this and wants to help all of those involved.
Great changes for the future lead by officers whose moral has been uplifted and are now looking forward to a new future.
oh it is suppose to be ” officers whose morale has been uplifted