Woman accused of stealing $75K from elderly victim

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Police call it a disgusting case of financial abuse of the elderly.  A woman was arrested, accused of stealing nearly $75,000 dollars from an 88-year-old victim.

Volinda Cook says she gave Kelly Coppelli, 42, power of attorney in January of 2017, after the two met in church.  She's still struggling to understand how someone could take such advantage of her, as she is a widow and requires 24-hour care. 

"You can't trust people no more," Cook says. 

New Smyrna Beach Police say Coppelli took thousands from accounts which Cook hired her to manage, all over a seven-month period. 

"She was going to help me with my finance, take care of my book," she says.  "She work for the bank, so I trust the bank."

Coppelli is now charged with exploitation of an elderly person and grand theft.

"I already tell her, I hope she rots in jail," Cook says. "I hope she gets what she deserves."