MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CHARGED WITH STEALING MORE THAN
HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM AN ELDERLY STROKE VICTIM

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the arrests of two Bronx women on charges of stealing the assets of an elderly stroke victim during her hospitalization and recovery. The defendants, a mother and daughter, allegedly raided the victim’s bank account while the daughter also allegedly stole an annuity account worth more than $400,000.

Burnestha Wilder, 56, of 225 East 149th Street, the Bronx, and her daughter Rayleshia Cage, 36, of 309 East 162nd Street, have been charged with one count each of Grand larceny in the 2nd degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 2nd degree, and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. The most serious offense, Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree, is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment if the defendants are found guilty. The alleged crimes occurred between September 1, 2006 and March 7, 2007 during which time 84-year-old Queen Wilson was hospitalized before being transferred temporarily to a nursing home in Harlem. Wilson and defendant Burnestha Wilder were neighbors.

Wilder and Cage are accused of looting the elderly woman’s Emigrant Savings Bank account of approximately $189,000 and submitting a fraudulent transfer document to Principal Annuity Life Insurance giving Cage ownership of a $400,000 annuity account that Wilson had opened.

The theft came to light last June when Wilson returned to her apartment and discovered that check books and bank books were missing, that checks had been written on her account and that ownership of her annuity had been transferred. Wilson’s bank contacted the Bronx District Attorney’s Office which began the investigation that resulted in these arrests. Wilder and Cage were arraigned before Judge Raymond Bruce who released the two women on their own recognizance. The defendants are scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, October 2, 2007 in Part A.

Mr. Johnson thanked Senior Investigative Assistant District Attorney Richard Baker, Detective Investigator Vincent Canterella, Forensic Accountant Julio Santiago, and Elder Abuse Coordinator Ellen Kolodney for their hard work on this case.