Caretakers stole from 66-year-old woman before reporting her death, Alabama cops say
Two women who described themselves as caretakers are accused of stealing from a 66-year-old woman before reporting her death, Alabama cops said.
Edith Avery, 58, called 911 to report the death of Christy Cox at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 3, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office told McClatchy News in a Feb. 10 email.
When deputies arrived at Cox’s home in Russellville, Avery told them she found Cox dead at about 8 p.m., but had a hard time getting in touch with emergency dispatchers, investigators said.
Deputies said Cox “appeared to be in poor health and had been neglected of basic hygiene cleaning.” They also noted that it looked like several things had been taken from the house, including a debit card that belonged to Cox.
Then, deputies found some of Cox’s items in Avery’s bag, they said. She was arrested and taken to the Franklin County Detention Center.
Later, investigators learned that the debit card had been used at an ATM, according to the sheriff’s office.
Security camera footage caught Cristy Baker, 42, getting $200 out of the ATM after Cox had died, deputies said. Baker was also arrested and taken to the FCDC, deputies said.
Baker and Avery told deputies they were Cox’s caretakers, according to investigators.
Baker is charged with second-degree elder abuse, drug paraphernalia and attempted financial exploitation of an elderly person. Her bond was set at $10,000, according to police records.
Avery is charged with possession of a controlled substance, two counts of drug paraphernalia, second-degree theft of property, second-degree elder abuse and possession of a firearm, police records show. Her bond was set at $15,000.
“After discovering the victim deceased, Avery and Baker started stealing items and money before they reported her to 911,” the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said they think Cox died earlier in the day and Avery did not try to call 911 until later.
Russellville is about a 70-mile drive southwest from Huntsville.
