(June 18, 2024) — On February 1, 2024, a woman called the Cape Coral Police Department to report fraudulent use of her father’s debit card at an assisted living facility on Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, Florida. She said her father lives there.
Officers made contact with the caller’s father, who said he did not give the card to anyone to use, and he personally has not used the debit card for about a year. He did not recall the last time he saw the debit card, and said he’d like to pursue charges against the person who used it. Workers at the assisted living facility said he is of stable mind and they have no reason to doubt his statements. The victim’s daughter said there were four charges made on the debit card that were not authorized by her father, totaling $245.83. A $50 gift card was also taken.
On February 9, detectives in our Economic Crimes Unit visited the businesses where the fraudulent charges were made. At a nearby gas station, the suspect purchased Juul nicotine devices, snacks and a drink. Surveillance video showed a female in medical scrubs making the transactions. The clerk at the store said the female worked at the assisted living facility nearby. Detectives also visited a Walgreens on Del Prado Blvd S, where the suspect used the card to buy two Vanilla Gift Cards. Surveillance video showed the same female in scrubs making the fraudulent purchase.
On February 16, detectives went to the assisted living facility to speak with staff. A supervisor immediately identified the female in the surveillance videos as one of the staff members, Nadia Henson (DOB 03/19/93). He confirmed Henson was one of the victim’s caretakers.
On March 7, detectives met with the victim who recognized the female in the surveillance images as one of his caretakers. He said he does not leave the facility and never gave anyone permission to take or use his card. He said he does not smoke and would not have use for smokeless tobacco products, and has never heard of Vanilla Gift Cards.
After multiple attempts to call the suspect, Henson finally returned detectives’ calls and agreed to come to the station on March 8.
The investigation determined the suspect used the Vanilla Gift Cards for “Lyft” charges. The Lyft account was registered to Nadia Henson, with the same information Henson provided to detectives when they met. One of the Lyft rides charged to the gift card was the ride Henson took to the police station to give her interview, and one to go home from the police station that same day.
On June 14, after several attempts to reach Nadia Henson, officers made contact with her at her work at another care facility in North Fort Myers. Because that location is under the jurisdiction of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, they assisted in Henson’s arrest.
Based on the investigation, Nadia Henson was charged with the following:
–1 count in violation of FSS 825.103(3)(c) – Exploitation of an Elderly Person, valued at less than $10,000
–1 count in violation of FSS 817.61 – Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, 2 or more times within 6 months
–1 count in violation of FSS 817.60 – Theft of a Credit Card
–1 count in violation of FSS 817.568(6) – Fraudulent use of Personal Identification Information, victim 60 years of age or older
–1 count in violation of FSS 812.014(2)(e) – Petit Theft, less than $750
Arrested: Nadia Henson (DOB 03/19/93)