2 women accused of stealing thousands of dollars from elderly victim suffering from dementia

PITT COUNTY, NC (WECT/WITN) - Two women have been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from an elderly woman suffering from dementia.

According to WITN, Bethel police charged Wanda Renee Foreman, 48, of Greenville with felony exploitation of the elderly. Priscilla McKeithen, 55, of Greenville was also charged with felony exploitation of the elderly and financial card fraud.

Officials say the pair stole between $20,000 and $100,000 from the 72-year-old victim.

According to warrants, the elderly woman was convinced to open a payee account in her name, "under the pretense that the defendant would only use the account to pay the victim's bills on her behalf."

According to court documents cited by WITN, the victim was related to McKeithen.

Police officials say the Department of Social Services is also investigating the incident.

Copyright 2015 WECT. All rights reserved. WITN contributed to this report.