A home health aide in Miami Lakes, Florida, has been arrested on charges of allegedly stealing belongings from an elderly woman with dementia, whom she was responsible for caring. The arrest followed the actions of the victim’s son, who captured the theft on video and reported it to the authorities.
Janet Hernández, 44, is facing charges of grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person, according to the arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. The investigation was initiated last month after the victim's son filed a complaint.
Residing in Tallahassee, the son visits his mother every couple of months. During these visits, he began noticing missing clothes, jewelry, furniture, and home decorations. Initially suspecting his sister or even his mother, he decided to install a Ring camera above the garage door in January.
The footage was revealing: it showed Hernández removing several trash bags filled with belongings and loading them into her car. The videos also depicted her taking a new generator, ceramics, dishes, and cleaning supplies from the home.
Additionally, the son discovered a Facebook video of Hernández wearing what appeared to be a gold cross pendant that had been taken from his mother. When confronted by detectives, Hernández confessed, stating she "took all the items from the property because she needed them for personal use."
The Vulnerability of the Elderly
The elderly victim is in the early stages of dementia, making her particularly vulnerable to exploitation by those with direct access to her home. This incident echoes a similar case from March 2025 in Sunrise, where a home caregiver was arrested for sexually assaulting an 86-year-old woman with dementia. These cases highlight a disturbing pattern of abuse against vulnerable seniors in Florida by individuals hired to care for them.
Escalating Elder Abuse in Florida
Florida has one of the highest proportions of elderly residents in the country and recorded over 99,661 investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults in the fiscal year 2023-2024, as reported by the state's Department of Children and Families.
Nationally, financial exploitation of the elderly has surged alarmingly. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reported losses from elder fraud increased from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024.
Hernández was booked into jail and was expected to appear in bond court this Friday.
Understanding Elder Abuse and Prevention
What charges is Janet Hernández facing?
Janet Hernández is facing charges of grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person.
How was the theft discovered?
The theft was discovered after the victim's son installed a Ring camera, capturing video evidence of Hernández stealing items from the home.
What is the significance of elder abuse in Florida?
Florida has a large elderly population, making elder abuse a significant concern. The state reported over 99,661 investigations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults in the recent fiscal year.