Money’s been missing from the bank account of a grandfather, bedridden in a nursing home since July, and his granddaughter is accused of using his account without permission to pay over $1600 worth of her bills.

Rhonda L. Sims, 34, Elnora, was arrested Monday evening, October 29, by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Heather Wood.

A warrant for her arrest was issued last Friday following an investigation by Deputy Wood with assistance from GCSD Det. James O’Malley.

Deputy Wood started looking in to the matter in late September when a family member contacted the sheriff’s department to make a complaint.

In early October, Deputy Wood spoke to the grandfather, in a nursing home in Greene County, who said no one had his permission to be using any of his checks or to have access to his bank account located at bank in Greene County. The family member said the man had not written a check since he was admitted to a nursing home in July and they thought Sims had taken a checkbook from him when he moved. Several transactions had showed up on bank statements.

According to Wood, the man said he believed Sims was the one using his account and he alleged she’s taken money from him before. He said he’s tired of getting his money taken from him.

When GCSD Det. O’Malley obtained records from the bank, they showed unauthorized transactions including two purchases for cell phone service both for $49.83 each, online purchases from Walmart for $187.16 and two online payments to Duke Energy, one for $701.56 and one for $662.11. The total amount of unauthorized transactions was $1,650.49.

Sims was interviewed at the sheriff’s department in mid-October by Deputies Wood and Harvey Holt. Wood reported Sims first said she didn’t have access to the account, but her grandfather had helped her with bills in the past. Then she allegedly admitted she had used the account but she’d asked her grandfather for permission and he was aware of the transactions.

Sims allegedly added her husband would be a witness for her and confirm the grandfather had allowed her to use money from the account. But Deputy Wood said when she talked to the husband, he had no clue about anything between Sims and her grandfather and said he stays out of their business.

The grandfather has since closed his account.

Sims is facing a charge of theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000, a Level 6 felony. Her bond was set at $4,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. Today, Tuesday, October 30, she posted $400 cash, was released from jail and given a court date of November 5 for her initial hearing.