A 32-year-old caregiver from Memphis, Tennessee, has been arrested and charged after allegedly stealing nearly $38,000 worth of jewelry from an 83-year-old woman she was entrusted to care for at an assisted living facility, authorities say.
Jasmine Durham was hired by the victim’s family on September 19, 2025, to assist with daily care at Trezevant Manor Assisted Living Facility due to the elderly woman’s declining health. Over the nearly three months Durham worked there, police say seven pieces of valuable jewelry disappeared from the woman’s apartment.
The missing items, including several rings, were valued at $37,857 based on information provided by the victim, according to police. After the family reported the theft on Dec. 12, 2025, an investigator searching online pawn records found that Durham had pawned several of the items in late October. Officers later confirmed additional pawn transactions tied to her from Oct. 24 and Dec. 9.
During the investigation, law enforcement was able to recover four rings, but the remaining pieces are still unaccounted for. Durham now faces felony property theft and financial exploitation of an elderly or vulnerable person charges — serious offenses that carry significant legal penalties. She was booked into the Shelby County Jail and is being held on a $3,500 bond.
The case highlights growing concerns about elder exploitation and vulnerable adult victimisation by those in positions of trust, especially in caregiving roles.
Law enforcement and elder rights advocates stress the importance of background checks and regular oversight when hiring individuals for caregiving duties, particularly for seniors with limited capacity to protect their own interests.
