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Spring Hill health care worker is accused of stealing from elderly patient

 
Published Sept. 14, 2012

BROOKSVILLE — A 41-year-old Spring Hill health care worker is facing charges of stealing several hundred dollars from an elderly patient in his care.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, detectives arrested Titus Marcell Houston on Wednesday after it was discovered that he had used an 88-year-old woman's credit card to make 27 transactions at locations throughout Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

In reviewing the fraudulent transactions on video, detectives determined that 13 of them were made in Hernando County, totaling $436.73.

After noticing the unauthorized charges on her credit card, the victim, who is not a resident of Hernando County, contacted authorities in April. Detectives learned that she had been diagnosed with medical issues during the past year that impaired her judgment and required her to have nursing care.

Detectives determined through video surveillance tapes that Houston, who worked as the victim's health care provider, was the same man shown using the credit card to make a payment to his Bright House Networks account. Later contacted at his home, the suspect admitted to making all of the fraudulent transactions in question. However, Houston did not admit to stealing the credit card from the victim, telling detectives he couldn't recall how he obtained it.

Houston was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center, where he was charged with one count of exploitation of the elderly/disabled adult. Bail was set at $2,000.

Detectives say they believe there may be more victims of Houston in Hernando County. Anyone who believes they might a victim should contact Det. Dustin Mormando at (352) 797-3728 or dmormando@hernandosheriff.org.

Logan Neill can be reached at lneill@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1435.