Home health care aide accused of stealing from local senior citizen

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a home health care aide accused of stealing from a local senior citizen. That woman's family contacted Call 4 Action -- they want her caught.

The alleged victim's family claims that this home health care aide stole more than $40,000 worth of property and cash when she should have been caring for a 79-year-old woman. Amherst Police have identified the health care aide as Wilisha Walker.

WIVB News 4 was contacted by the Williamsville family about the disturbing case of theft. The alleged victim's daughter just wants to go by the name Jackie.

She says her mother hired a private home care company and that Wilisha Walker came to her home on Easter Sunday. While her mom was downstairs, Jackie says Walker went upstairs and stole valuables very important to her mother. Jackie then filed a police report with Amherst Police.

Investigators with the department put a detective on this case and say that charges have been filed against this health care aide.

"One of the care aides had come in and was rifling through all of my mother's personal belongings and actually stole the diamond engagement ring, stole the wedding band," Jackie said. "The bank ended up letting us know that three checks were stolen. I'm very emotional because of the fragile state that she was in, the fact that somebody could come and take advantage of her."

Jackie says the home care aide ordered Uber Eats using her mom's credit card information. Their family feels like they've been violated. They contacted Call 4 Action to spread awareness about this investigation.

WIVB News 4 took a look into the case immediately and were able to confirm this investigation with Amherst Police.

"I find it absolutely despicable," Jackie said. "I'm sorry to use that language, but people like this girl who prey upon senior citizens when they're so vulnerable with different issues, I really have a problem with that, I feel that it's really, really wrong. I was very angry and I basically had suggested to my mom, you know, that we need to make sure that we change all your checking account information, all of your credit card and debit information."

Police believe that Walker may be out of state.

Jeff Preval is an award-winning anchor and reporter who joined the News 4 team in December 2021. See more of his work here.