Detectives visit woman in hospital

They came with cake and a gift.

But for Constance Wakefield, the best part of spending her 85th birthday with Huntington Beach Police detectives was receiving news that her caretaker had been taken into custody on allegations of financial elder abuse.

“She was overjoyed and thankful,” Sgt. Greg Davis said.

Police were first tipped about the possibility of alleged financial elder abuse against Wakefield in December, and began a detailed investigation.

Cindi Dee Powell, 54, also a Huntington Beach resident, obtained home equity loans and fraudulent bank accounts in her charge’s name, police said.

Powell pleaded guilty in 2006 to theft from an elder adult, fraudulent use of access cards and unauthorized use of personal identifying information in a prior case.

So far, detectives have uncovered about $122,000 in funds that suspect Powell allegedly received from Wakefield through forgery, fraud and identity theft since 2006.

But they suspect that Wakefield’s loss is well over $200,000, including two fraudulently obtained vehicle purchases and sales, police said.

And it’s likely that Wakefield, whom police said was financially sound when Powell became her caregiver, will lose her home due to the loans taken out against her property.

Last Friday, detectives went to Wakefield’s home, where they interviewed Powell and conducted a search.

They then arrested Powell, and learned later that Wakefield would celebrate her 85th birthday in a hospital room, where she is recovering from an unrelated injury.

So Det. Kevin Johnson, the case agent and lead investigator on the case, and team went to the hospital, where they presented Wakefield with birthday goodies and news of Powell’s arrest, Davis said.

Powell pleaded not guilty Monday to 10 counts of by caretaker from an elder adult, grand theft auto, and four counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. All charges had sentencing enhancements for theft of more than $50,000.

Her pretrial begins at 8:30 a.m. today in West Court. She was being held without bail.

CANDICE BAKER may be reached at (714) 966-4631 or at [email protected].