Hamilton support worker arrested after $277K stolen from clients' bank accounts: police

A Hamilton support worker has been arrested after police say she stole more than $277,000 from clients with developmental disabilities. 

The 44-year-old woman was arrested on June 19 and charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, police said in a news release Tuesday. 

The support worker was caring for residents at Community Living of Hamilton — a not-for-profit organization that assists people with development disabilities — from Dec. 15, 2022 to Jan. 16, 2025, said police. 

She "was able to gain access to the residents' bank accounts for the purposes of assisting them with their finances," police said. Then she took money for her own personal use. 

Police said they arrested her after a "lengthy investigation." 

Community Living Hamilton's executive director Sylvia D'Intino said when they became aware of the allegations against the support worker, they immediately put her on a leave of absence and informed police. They also informed all those potentially impacted. 

"We are confident there is no ongoing risk to the people we support in connection with this alleged incident," D'Intino said in an email to CBC Hamilton. 

"We have also made sure those who may have been impacted have been kept informed every step of the way."