A Braselton woman was arrested in Hall County Monday after she allegedly exploited $100,000 out of an elderly couple.
B.J. Williams, public information officer with the Hall County Sheriff's Office, said Hailey Starr Mauldin, 28, was charged with felony financial exploitation of an elderly person.
Mauldin was reportedly acting as an in-home caregiver for a 68-year-old Barrow County woman who had health issues. Mauldin befriended the woman and her husband and eventually assumed the role of the woman's power of attorney.
Williams said Mauldin reportedly knew the victims for a couple of years, but the alleged thefts happened in 2022.
Mauldin allegedly convinced the couple to sell their home in Barrow County and moved them into a home in Hall County which she claimed was lease-to-own. However, Mauldin had only rented the home.
Mauldin also gained access to a bank account belonging to the couple and used their money for personal purchases. She also obtained a loan in the woman's name and leased a vehicle in the man's name.
"She was using the money for everything from concert tickets, to personal purchases at department stores and Amazon, also restaurant purchases, Uber Eats, that kind of thing," Williams said.
A relative of the male victim alerted law enforcement about the criminal activity.
Mauldin remained in the Hall County Jail without bond as of Tuesday morning.
