ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Palatka woman who worked as an in-home caregiver is facing seven felony charges after investigators say she stole more than $180,000 from a 92-year-old client with significant vision impairment.
Maryjean “Mary” Victoria Small, 26, was arrested Aug. 17 and booked into the St. Johns County jail on a $340,000 bond.
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What investigators say happened
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, Small was employed by Concierge Care and assigned as a caregiver for a 92-year-old woman from approximately January 2025 through July 2026. Investigators say Small used her position of trust to systematically steal money and property from the victim for her own benefit.
According to Small’s arrest report, the victim told investigators she only authorized Small to use her debit card to purchase groceries and necessities. She said she never gave Small permission to make ATM withdrawals, use her financial accounts for personal purchases, establish online banking in her name, transfer funds between accounts, or write checks payable to herself.
Because of her poor eyesight, the victim said Small routinely prepared checks and guided her hand while telling her they were for legitimate expenses — such as utility or telephone bills.
What the records show, according to detectives
Bank records, surveillance video, witness statements, and business records revealed what investigators described as a continuing pattern of unauthorized transactions, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say financial records identified 63 unauthorized checks payable to Small totaling $82,238.71, which were deposited into Small’s personal bank account at VyStar Credit Union.
ATM surveillance photographs captured Small depositing at least one of those checks. Investigators also say a search warrant served on Uber revealed that the victim’s Wells Fargo debit and credit cards had been added as payment methods to Small’s personal Uber account, with Uber Eats orders delivered to Small’s residence.
Surveillance video from Family Dollar and records from Marshalls showed Small using the victim’s cards to purchase children’s clothing and toys, according to investigators.
Online banking activity
Investigators say an online Wells Fargo banking profile was created in the victim’s name using an email address witnesses confirmed did not belong to her. The victim told investigators she has never owned a computer, does not use electronic devices, and never authorized anyone to open an online banking account in her name.
Banking records documented a $70,000 unauthorized transfer from the victim’s savings account, an additional transfer to a Wells Fargo Platinum account, and a failed attempt to transfer another $70,000. Records also showed a $35,000 transfer occurred after Small allegedly told the victim she was running out of money and needed to move funds to pay bills.
Alleged isolation tactics
According to Small’s arrest warrant, a witness told investigators Small frequently tried to isolate the victim from friends who questioned her finances. The witness said Small became upset when others tried to help the victim with banking and threatened to stop providing care if the victim went to the bank with anyone else.
The witness also told investigators Small warned the victim she could be fined $20,000 if anyone discovered she was paying Small “under the table” — despite the victim never agreeing to such an arrangement.
Charges, bond
In all, investigators say the scheme resulted in approximately $180,321.73 in unauthorized thefts, fraudulent transactions, and transfers from the victim’s financial accounts.
Small faces the following felony charges: theft of $50,000 or more from a person 65 or older, defrauding a person 65 or older of $50,000 or more, illegal use of credit cards, exploitation of an elderly person exceeding $50,000, use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony, uttering a false check or bank instrument, and fraudulent use of identification without consent with a victim 60 or older.
Small was ordered to have no contact with the victim.