Elderly Widow Loses Nearly $350,000 to Florida Neighbor’s Power Of Attorney Scheme

A Florida woman has been convicted on multiple felony counts after systematically draining nearly $350,000 from an elderly widow’s accounts.

Leesburg resident and 58-year-old Kimberly Ruth Bitting orchestrated a scheme that involved obtaining power of attorney over the grieving neighbor shortly after her husband died in August 2021, reports ClickOrlando.

Over roughly 18 months, Bitting issued checks from the victim’s accounts, withdrew cash at ATMs, and moved money from investment holdings.

More than $137,000 went toward buying two parcels of land in Calhoun County that were placed in a trust under Bitting’s name.

Additional funds flowed to the defendant’s daughter and a paid caregiver under the guise of payment for services.

The elderly widow faced restrictions on family contact, controlled access inside her home, and threats of being declared incompetent.

She eventually revoked the power of attorney, left the area and relocated to New York with her sister.

Bitting subsequently reported the voluntary departure to authorities as a kidnapping.

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