Home Health Care Worker Arrested
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 5, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Joe Baeza,
Trusted “Palomita” turned “bird of prey” stealing from her helpless 92 year old patient.
In June of 2010 a 92 year-old elderly female filed a report with the Laredo Police Department reporting that she had recently discovered that her health care provider, or a person commonly referred to as a “palomita”, had allegedly been using her bank debit card without her consent. The victim also stated that several pieces of jewelry were also missing from her home. The “palomita” had been working for the victim for several years and was deemed as a person trust according to the 92 year old victim.
During the investigation of this case it was discovered that the suspected “palomita” had indeed pawned several pieces of jewelry during the year, some of which belonged to the victim. One of the items that were pawned was a 1970’s men graduation gold ring. Consequently one of the items that the victim had reported stolen was her son’s 1970’s gold graduation ring. Also, the victim provided a bank statement that showed a total of fifteen (15) charges using her debit card. The victim does not use her debit card and the defendant was found to be in possession of the victim’s debit card when it should have been stored away at the victim’s home. Case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office and two Warrants were secured for the “Palomita”.
On August 3rd, one female subject identified as Celia L. Leyva, turned herself in by the Laredo Police Department Headquarters and was served with the outstanding warrants. Mrs. Leyva was read her Miranda Warnings, booked, and later transported to the Webb County Jail where she remains in lieu of an $180,000.00 total bond set by Justice of the Peace Hector Liendo.