Caregiver at Wood River group home charged with exploitation, theft from disabled
A woman who was in charge of handling the funds of people with disabilities living at a Madison County group home has been charged with more than 40 counts of exploitation and theft.
Andrea R. Schultz, 36, of Granite City, worked as a caregiver for the William M. Bedell Achievement and Resource Center (ARC) in Wood River, which serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. According to a news release from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons’ office, Schultz managed the victims’ funds.
On Tuesday, Schultz was charged with 44 counts of unlawful financial exploitation of a disabled person and theft of property by deception. According to the release, the charges span from Jan. 1, 2018, to Oct. 24, 2019. The total amount allegedly taken from the victims is $14,948.91, according to the state’s attorney.
The charging documents indicate that Schultz stole money from 22 different people in her care, including almost $2,300 from one man.
“Crimes against vulnerable individuals are some of the most infuriating for all of us, especially when the allegations are against someone who had a special responsibility to protect the victims,” Gibbons said. “Caregivers are placed in a critical position of trust and confidence and have the utmost legal and moral responsibility to protect the people they serve.”
Schultz’s bail was $150,000. She was not in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
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