Couple charged for stealing from elderly

A Columbia couple is in jail after depleting their elderly family members’ bank accounts.

Davey and Amy Smith both live near Route B in northeast Columbia.

They were arrested for stealing and financial exploitation.

On Tuesday investigators said the Smith’s stole at least $15,000 from a 92 and 63-year-old woman.

It was a hotline call into the Department of Health and Senior Services alerting authorities to what was happening inside the home on Ketterer Road.

“Basically what we believe they were doing is taking assistance checks from both ladies and using that money for their own,” said Detective Tom O’Sullivan, Boone County Sheriff’s Department.

This was in addition to charging the two woman $400 a month in rent to live with them according to court documents.

“I think both were completely dependent on the Smith’s for their care,” said O’Sullivan.

Court documents said the two women were receiving $2,000 a month from social security.

However, that money investigators found was going into the pockets of the Smith’s.

O’Sullivan said this is something they have seen before.

“You know I am not going to tell you it comes on a daily or weekly basis, but we do get calls periodically,” said O’Sullivan.

And so does the Better Business Bureau, who warns elderly people are often prime targets of scams.

“Several different reason why they are more susceptible,” said Mike Harrison, Regional Director of the Mid-Missouri Business Bureau.

However, in the case of the Smith’s Harrison said that is a hard scam to avoid when it’s your own family behind it all.

“I don’t know if I really have the answer to that to be honest with you. When you have a family member that has access to their checks and banking information, I mean that’s a trust issue,” said Harrison.

Davey Smith is also charged with elder abuse.

Court documents said he threw a cup of water into the face of the 92-year-old woman two months ago.