A jury convicted a caregiver of burglary after she returned to a residence that she no longer worked for and was seen taking pills from the homeowner, according to the Yavapai County Attorney's Office.
Laura Ann Hopper, 59, of Prescott Valley, was found guilty of burglary in the second degree, Yavapai County Attorney Dennis McGrane announced on Oct. 9.
Hopper was providing housekeeping and light caregiving to a man who was recovering from surgery and other health issues, the Attorney's Office said.
During this time, the man began to suspect that Hopper was stealing pain medications from him, according to the Attorney's Office. Eventually, the man told Hopper her services were no longer needed.
Hopper returned the key she was given, but on March
10, 2024, she went to the man's house while he was away, the Attorney's Office said. Surveillance camera footage caught Hopper entering through a side door, making her way into the master bedroom and taking pills, the Attorney's Office said.
At the time, Hopper was also on felony probation for a fraud-related offense in Maricopa County, according to the Attorney's Office.
"When a caregiver steals from a patient, the patient’s trust is violated in a deeply personal way. My Office will always vigorously prosecute those who exploit that trust because vulnerable individuals deserve dignity, protection, and justice," McCrane said. "I believe this conviction and the lengthy sentence that Ms. Hopper will receive sends a strong message that Yavapai County is not a place where a caregiver should even think about abusing their patient’s trust.”
Hopper's sentencing was scheduled for Nov. 9, where she will be facing a minimum of 6 and a half years and a maximum of a little more than 16 years, the Attorney's Office said.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona caregiver convicted after camera catches her taking pills
