Attendant Pleads Guilty to Veteran’s Theft

A 50-year-old personal care attendant, Melissa Diana Simmons, has pleaded guilty to systematically stealing from a vulnerable Vietnam War veteran she was hired to care for, forging his checks, draining his bank account, and leaving him in deplorable conditions. After being fired in June 2023, she convinced him to move in with her and her boyfriend, James Patrick Brown, escalating her thefts and his decline. Bank staff noticed suspicious withdrawals totaling tens of thousands, and by September, the veteran was confused, fearful, and unable to recall basic care. Police intervened after Simmons caused a scene during a withdrawal attempt, and Brown tried to cash a massive sum. The veteran, later found unresponsive with severe respiratory issues and meth in his system, was suffering from dementia — yet Simmons continued stealing his benefits even while he was hospitalized, including spending his money at a casino. The case remains under investigation with no sentencing date set. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/99497f9474ec89d9