A former secretary of a DeKalb County middle school has been found guilty on more than 20 charges ranging from identity fraud, abuse, and false imprisonment involving the disabled and the elderly.
Jeanne Canavan, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for DeKalb County, tells WSB Bobbie Ward claimed to take care of the victims when in fact, she mistreated them, stole their identities, and stole from them.
"These were people that were living with her and she was supposed to be caring for them. She was also taking their money. And in one case, she actually wiped out the bank account of a disabled adult who didn't have any other money in the world," said Canavan.
"The police went out to the address which was in DeKalb County, and they found one of our victims, a disabled adult in his 50's, just living in deplorable conditions," said Canavan.
Canavan says they found out about the abuse after the police were called.
Canavan says Ward would use the social security numbers of several of the victims to set up utilities at 12 different homes in DeKalb County.
There were five victims in this case, one of whom was deceased.
"Because there were so many victims in this case, we are really concerned that if we did not obtain this conviction that perhaps more disabled and elder adults could've been hurt, neglected, or exploited by this person," said Canavan.
A trial date has not been set.