Baltimore Caregiver Sentenced for Stealing from Elderly Assisted Living Resident

Baltimore, MD – A Baltimore City woman has been convicted and sentenced for stealing funds from an elderly resident at an assisted living facility where she was employed. Danielle Lucas, 52, was found to have used her client’s bank account to pay her own rent, totaling $3,722.66, on two separate occasions in late 2023 and early 2024. The victim, who is in her 90s, was reportedly unaware of these transactions and had not given her consent.

The theft came to light when the victim was receiving care at Anne Arundel Medical Center. She informed medical staff that her caregivers were stealing from her. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker from the medical center, in conjunction with the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Public Adult Guardianship program, facilitated the victim’s relocation to a different facility and ensured her complaint was escalated for a criminal investigation.

On June 24, 2026, Lucas pleaded guilty to felony theft in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City before the Honorable Lynn Stewart Mays. She was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison, with all but time served suspended. Lucas will also be subject to three years of supervised probation and has been ordered to pay restitution of $3,722.66 to the victim.

The Attorney General’s office highlighted the efforts of the Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit in securing the conviction, specifically recognizing Assistant Attorney General Kurt Davidson, Senior Investigator Edward Gray, and Investigator Kevin Clements for their contributions to the case. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives a significant portion of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with a federal grant award of 7,119,096 for Federal Fiscal Year 2026. The remaining 25 percent of the unit’s funding, totaling 2,373,032 for the same fiscal year, is provided by the State of Maryland.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. Residents in Maryland, particularly those with elderly family members or loved ones in assisted living facilities, should be aware of the potential for such crimes and encourage open communication with caregivers and facility administrators. Reporting suspicious activity is crucial for ensuring justice and preventing further harm. The restitution ordered in this case will help to partially compensate the victim for her financial losses.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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