After using money from the victim’s bank account

A Muldrow woman is facing felony charges of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult and financial exploitation by caretaker after she reportedly used money from the victim’s bank account without their consent or permission.

Rebekah D. Vessell, 53, was formally charged on Sept. 12 in Sequoyah County District Court and a warrant was issued for her arrest the same day. She pled not guilty and received a $1,000 bond, and is now set to appear before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters for an Oct. 4 arraignment.

According to court documents, between Nov. 3 and 6, 2021, Vessell reportedly committed the crime of exploitation of elderly person or disabled adult after she was said to have deprived the victim of their funds and assets, while they were residing in a local nursing facility.

The count of financial exploitation by caretaker reportedly occurred between the dates of Dec. 2 and 3, 2021, after Vessell was named an appointed guardian of the victim. The documents state Vessell took or spent money from the victim’s bank account on more than one occasion, using the money for herself or others.

On June 3, 2022, during an interview related to a complaint filed with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, agents were informed Vessell had reportedly admitted in Sequoyah County District Court that she had misused the victim’s finances during her time as the victim’s courtappointed guardian.

As stated in an affidavit, Vessell reportedly told authorities she had used the victim’s bank debit card to obtain funds to gamble at Cherokee Casino Sallisaw and to make purchases at Ulta and Hobby Lobby in Fort Smith. Vessell reportedly said that she knew it was wrong to use the debit card and that it was “stupidity, but she did” and that it “probably wasn’t even $1,000.”

The victim’s bank statement showed Vessell had used the debit card to withdraw funds from an ATM at the casino on five occasions, totaling $1,119.50; and another at Ulta for $546.56.