Little Rock, Arkansas – Two women from Arkansas are behind bars this week following separate investigations that uncovered alleged financial abuse of vulnerable elderly relatives, state officials confirmed.
On Friday afternoon, Attorney General Tim Griffin announced that arrests had been made as a result of in-depth probes by the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, a division tasked with rooting out financial and physical abuse of individuals who are elderly or otherwise at risk.
The first arrest occurred in Garland County, where 55-year-old Kimberly Pate of Jessieville was taken into custody on Tuesday. Authorities say Pate is facing serious charges related to the exploitation of a vulnerable person. She is currently being held at the Garland County Detention Center.
According to the official statement, Pate allegedly misused her legal authority after being granted power of attorney over her mother’s affairs. “Pate used her power of attorney status to access money in her mother’s account,” the release stated. “She also used her power of attorney status to facilitate the sale of a home that she and her mother shared ownership of and took those funds from her mother’s account. The mother was evicted from two long-term care facilities after Pate neglected to pay those bills.”
The second case involves 59-year-old Judy Osment from the town of Trumann in Poinsett County. Osment was arrested on Wednesday and now faces a charge of abusing an endangered or impaired person. She is being held at the Poinsett County Detention Center.
Griffin said Osment’s mother was suffering from dementia when the alleged financial abuse occurred. “Osment had her mother, who was suffering from dementia, add her to her mother’s bank accounts, where she removed money totaling more than $100,000,” Griffin said.
Both women are accused of taking advantage of close family members who were unable to protect themselves or properly manage their finances due to mental or physical limitations. The cases have sparked concern among advocates for the elderly, who warn that such incidents are far too common but often go unnoticed or unreported.
Griffin emphasized that his office remains committed to protecting those who are most at risk. “Protecting our vulnerable population from fraud and exploitation will continue to be one of the priorities for my office,” he stated. He also offered thanks to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, calling out “their unwavering dedication to protecting Arkansans.”
These arrests serve as a grim reminder that financial abuse can happen even within families and often occurs behind closed doors. Legal experts stress the importance of monitoring the financial well-being of elderly relatives and ensuring that safeguards are in place when power of attorney is granted.
It remains unclear whether either Pate or Osment has obtained legal representation at this time. Formal court proceedings are expected to begin soon, and both cases could involve further investigation as more details emerge.
In the meantime, state officials are urging anyone who suspects elder abuse or financial exploitation to report it to local authorities or the Attorney General’s office. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit continues to actively investigate similar cases across Arkansas.
As the legal process unfolds, these two arrests underscore the critical role of oversight and the importance of holding individuals accountable—especially when the lives and dignity of the most vulnerable are at stake.
