Nurse’s Assistant Accused of Helping Herself to the Family Jewels

 Posted on September 30, 2012 in Criminal Defense

An Arlington Heights nurse’s assistant has been charged with stealing $25,000 worth of patients’ jewelry.  Police accuse Krisanne Henderson, 42, of stealing jewelry and other valuables from mentally and physically impaired clients in her care. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office reported she has been stealing from her patients for the past five years.

In January of this year, a man contacted police when several pieces of his wife’s jewelry went missing. According to WLSI-TV , the wife was hospitalized at the time the report was made and unable to give police a statement. A few months later, she contacted police and confirmed the theft, along with other information, including the names of several nurses’ assistants who had provided her with in-home health care. An investigation revealed that one of those assistants, Henderson, had pawned several items at Arlington Heights Jewelry and Loan after the thefts had occurred.

Police brought Henderson in for questioning and say that she admitted to stealing the woman’s jewelry. Henderson told police that she began stealing from patients five years ago. Some of the items she is accused of stealing include a 35-karat aqua marine stone broach, 10-karat gold tennis bracelet with 35 round diamonds, and a pearl necklace. Three of the reported missing pieces have been recovered, with six still missing. Police have identified three additional victims and expect more to come forward. Hendersonhas been released on $5000 bond.

If you have been accused of theft, or any other crime, you need to retain the services of a qualified Chicago defense attorney to help navigate through what can be a very complicated criminal court system. Contact an experienced Cook County criminal defense lawyer today.