Lakewood man charged with bilking mother with dementia

Pierce County prosecutors say a Lakewood man bilked his 84-year-old mother, who has dementia, out of $13,529 because he knew she needed long-term care and would qualify for Medicaid if she were broke.

The man, 54, was charged Wednesday with first-degree theft and first-degree identity theft in Pierce County Superior Court.

According to charging documents:

Adult Protection Services was called in August 2015 after the mother was taken to the emergency room 13 times since the beginning of the year, and staff members became concerned her son could not care for her.

In September, she was again admitted to the hospital, where she has remained since because “there is no safe discharge plan.”

An investigator found the woman’s bank account had no money in it, and that 65 ATM withdrawals from June to August had drained it.

When the investigator spoke to the son, he admitted to taking the money. He told a social worker at the hospital he knew his mother couldn’t afford the long-term care she needed.

Prosecutors said they might add more charges.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Lakewood man charged with bilking mother with dementia."