Man accused of preying on elderly

FLINT - A Flint Township handyman is suspected of stealing $23,000 from an elderly stroke victim whom he allegedly befriended.

After the 81-year-old Flint woman gave the man power of attorney, he sold her house, took money from her checking account and cashed one of her certificates of deposit, said Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell called the allegations the work of a "bottom feeder."

"She signed everything over to him," said Pickell.

Brian S. Vanwormer, 46, was expected to turn himself in for arraignment this morning on felony charges of embezzlement of $20,000 or more and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Pickell and Leyton planned to announce the charges at a press conference this morning.

The case may have never come to light without the work of a task force that focuses on elder abuse, said Pickell and Leyton.

A social worker with Genesys Regional Medical Center - a partner in the task force - was at a support group when the elderly woman living in foster care said that she had been swindled.

The allegations were handed over to a sheriff's department investigator who determined that Vanwormer had methodically taken money from the woman over a 10-month period, officials said.

Police believe some of the money was used to buy a 3.5-acre parcel of land in Osceola County.

"Anybody who would exploit an elderly person ought to have a very difficult time looking at themselves in the mirror," said Leyton.

Pickell said the investigation shows the importance of the Elder Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Team.

Formed last year and funded by the countywide seniors millage , the team includes the sheriff's department, the prosecutor's office, Genesee County Probate Court and the Center for Gerontology.

Two social workers from Genesys review guardian cases and report suspected abuse to the sheriff's department, said Pickell.

Before the task force was formed, Pickell said, these types of cases were "falling through the cracks."

"This is geared to protect our elders and vulnerable adults," said Pickell. 

***