Florida Hospital Worker Accused of Stealing Elderly Patient’s Wallet and Engaging in Fraud

A hospital employee in Florida has been arrested following allegations that she stole a 94-year-old patient’s wallet and subsequently went on a shopping spree using the victim’s credit cards. The incident occurred last month and involved the arrest of Bailey Slater, 28, who worked as a patient care technician at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that on January 22, Slater allegedly took the elderly patient’s wallet and used the victim’s credit cards, accumulating charges exceeding $500 in a single day. The sheriff’s office released a surveillance image, which they claim shows Slater, masked, pushing a cart filled with shopping bags out of a Target store.

Hospital officials initially identified the alleged theft, promptly notifying law enforcement and collaborating with detectives to assist in the investigation,
the sheriff’s office stated.

Bailey Slater has been charged with several offenses, including first-degree petit theft, two counts of unauthorized use of a credit card, and two counts of fraudulent use of personal information belonging to an elderly individual. She surrendered herself at the Orient Road Jail after a warrant for her arrest was issued.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed strong condemnation of the incident, labeling it as ‘shameful.’

Taking advantage of some of our most vulnerable community members while entrusted with their care is shameful and reprehensible,
said Sheriff Chronister. We will make sure justice is served, and we hope anyone considering this kind of behavior understands they will be held accountable.

The case is still under investigation as authorities continue to gather more details related to the offense.