Morgan County woman charged with exploiting disabled neighbor

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Morgan County woman was charged Monday with taking advantage of her neighbor, a double amputee with memory problems.

Karla R. McGee of Stover is charged with financial exploitation of an elderly or disabled person and misdemeanor elder abuse. McGee is accused of using her neighbor's debit card for nearly $8,400 in charges, according to a probable cause statement.

The victim told investigators that McGee convinced him to allow her to be his caretaker, the statement says. She obtained his debit card under the auspices of setting up recurring payments for his bills, court documents say.

McGee also failed to get a prescription filled to treat the man for possible dementia and did not take him to a recommended neurologist visit, the statement says. The crimes started in September 2019 and continued through February 2022, according to the statement.

Investigators began looking at the case after a call to a Department of Health and Senior Services hotline in September 2021, court documents say. They allege the debit card was used for purchases at places including The Buckle, Shoe Sensation, Shoe Carnival and gas stations. McGee also used the card for utility bills, according to the probable cause statement.

Investigators say the victim told them he did not authorize the extra purchases on his account.

McGee was not in custody at the Morgan County Jail on Monday, according to jail records.