Coralville woman accused of using credit cards belonging to patients in her care

Hunter
08/03/23

A Coralville woman has been arrested after allegedly running up charges on credit cards belonging to two adult home care clients in her care.

According to police, staff with Caring Hands & More on Sandusky Drive in Iowa City reported suspected theft from two adult clients on June 30th.  Management provided investigators with financial records, pointing out multiple irregularities and unusual purchases.

Surveillance video provided by Kwik Star on Keokuk Street reportedly showed 48-year-old Mandy Tran of 12th Avenue illegally using credit and/or debit cards from the two dependent adults in her care.  Tran allegedly used the cards to purchase food, alcohol, nicotine and gasoline for her personal use.

The irregularities reportedly occurred between August 22nd, 2022, and May 16th of this year. The investigation concluded both dependent adults had nearly identical charges of over $1210 appropriated by Tran, 26 times each.

Tran was interviewed at her place of work and she allegedly provided a full confession. She reportedly told investigators that she stopped the thefts because she started to feel bad about her actions.  Tran’s cellphone was seized via search warrant, and photos of the victim’s credit and debit cards were found. Messages to her husband about using the cards were also allegedly discovered.

Both adult victims are currently unable to care for themselves and at times were left alone, unsupervised, when Tran committed the alleged thefts.

She was charged with Dependent Adult Abuse, Unauthorized Use of Credit Cards, 3rd degree Theft, and 3rd degree Theft against an Older Individual. If convicted on all counts, she could be sentenced to up to 17 years in prison.