Miami-Dade caregiver accused of stealing about $24,000 from Alzheimer’s patient to gamble at casinos

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A longtime caregiver has been arrested after investigators say she used about $24,000 belonging to an elderly woman with Alzheimer’s disease to fund her gambling habit at South Florida casinos.

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According to a Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Charlotte Butler, 65, served as the primary caregiver for Maxine Dailey beginning around 2018.

Investigators said Dailey suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and relies on assistance for her daily care and financial affairs.

As part of her caregiving duties, Butler was added as an authorized signer on Dailey’s Wells Fargo bank account, giving her access to the victim’s finances, authorities said.

According to the arrest report, Butler later admitted during testimony in a Miami-Dade guardianship case that she regularly withdrew money from the joint account to gamble at local casinos.

Investigators said Butler acknowledged withdrawing approximately $24,070 from the account for gambling purposes.

Bank records obtained through a subpoena allegedly showed frequent cash withdrawals from ATMs located inside several South Florida casinos. Detectives said the transactions occurred on a weekly basis and, in some instances, multiple times in the same day. The withdrawals continued as recently as May 2023, resulting in an estimated loss of about $24,000, authorities said.

The investigation also included records from Hialeah Park Casino, where detectives said Butler maintained a player account.

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According to investigators, casino records matched dates and amounts of cash withdrawals from the victim’s bank account, showing Butler’s gambling activity corresponded with money taken from the account. In some cases, wagering amounts matched the withdrawals, further supporting that the victim’s funds were used for Butler’s personal gambling, the report states.

Detectives said the only money deposited into the joint account came from Dailey’s Social Security benefits or transfers from other accounts solely owned by the victim. Investigators found no evidence Butler attempted to repay the money, the arrest report stated.

The investigation also found that Butler and her daughter lived in Dailey’s home without paying rent, utilities or cable bills, which continued to be paid using the victim’s funds, according to the arrest report.

After being advised of her Miranda rights, Butler admitted to making withdrawals from the joint account at casinos, investigators said.

Butler was arrested on a charge of exploitation of an elderly or disabled person.

As of Friday afternoon, she was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond.

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