Former Nursing Assistant Charged with Stealing $9,000 from Elderly Resident

AG: Michigan News

Filed March 18th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Michigan Attorney General's office announced charges against Terrance Brown Jr., a former nursing assistant, for allegedly stealing nearly $9,000 from an elderly nursing home resident. Brown faces multiple felony charges related to larceny and financial transaction device fraud.

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What changed

The Michigan Attorney General's office has charged Terrance Brown Jr., a former certified nursing assistant, with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing a nursing home resident's debit card and making approximately $9,000 in fraudulent purchases and cash withdrawals. The charges include Larceny in a Building, Stealing a Financial Transaction Device, and eighteen counts of Using a Financial Transaction Device Without Consent. The alleged theft occurred between February 28 and March 2, 2024, involving 18 unauthorized transactions.

This enforcement action highlights the risks of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults by caregivers. Regulated entities, particularly nursing homes and adult care facilities, should review their internal controls, employee screening processes, and resident protection protocols to prevent similar incidents. While the immediate compliance deadline is tied to the legal proceedings, the underlying message is a call for enhanced vigilance and accountability in elder care settings to protect residents from financial abuse. Failure to implement robust safeguards could lead to reputational damage and potential future regulatory scrutiny.

What to do next

Review employee screening and background check procedures for caregivers.
Enhance internal controls for financial transactions involving residents.
Reinforce training on elder abuse and fraud prevention for staff.

Penalties

Felony charges include potential imprisonment of up to four years and/or a $5,000 fine per count.

Source document (simplified)

Former Harper Woods Nursing Assistant Charged with Theft from Elderly Resident

March 18, 2026

LANSING –Today, Terrance Brown Jr., 29, of Detroit, was arraigned in the 32A District Court in Harper Woods before Judge Rebekah Coleman for allegedly using his previous position as a certified nursing assistant to steal a 68‑year‑old nursing home resident’s debit card, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. He reportedly used the debit card to make nearly $9,000 in fraudulent purchases and cash withdrawals. Brown has been charged with:

One count of Larceny in a Building, a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine;
One count of Stealing a Financial Transaction Device, a felony punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine; and
Eighteen counts of Using a Financial Transaction Device Without Consent (MCL 750.157n), each a separate felony offense punishable by up to four years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine. Between February 28 and March 2, 2024, it is alleged that Brown used the resident’s account for 18 unauthorized transactions totaling $8,915.53. These transactions allegedly included ATM withdrawals and retail purchases at locations equipped with surveillance video.

This matter was investigated by the Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division, with assistance from the Harper Woods Police Department.

“Stealing from vulnerable adults, especially when that theft is committed by someone entrusted with their care, is an egregious crime,” said Attorney General Nessel. “My office will continue protecting Michigan’s seniors and holding accountable those who exploit their positions of trust.”

Brown was released on a personal recognizance bond of $20,000. As a condition of his bond, the court ordered that Brown must not work in a nursing home or adult care facility. He is next due in court for a Probable Cause Conference on March 25.

The Attorney General’s Health Care Fraud Division (HCFD) is handling this case for the Department. The HCFD is the federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for Michigan, and it receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,517,524.00 for the fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25% percent, totaling $1,839,170.00, is funded by the State of Michigan.

Please note: For all criminal proceedings, a criminal charge is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.

MI Newswire Attorney General Press Release Health Care Fraud Elder Abuse Nursing Homes Vulnerable Media Contact:

Danny Wimmer

Press Secretary

agpress@michigan.gov

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