Adams County woman going to prison for exploitation of vulnerable person

JACKSON, MS (WDAM) - This is a news release from the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.

Evelyn Whatley, 59, of Natchez, has been sentenced after she admitted to taking $43,980 from a vulnerable woman in her care, announced Attorney General Jim Hood.

Whatley appeared before Judge Forrest A. Johnson in Adams County Circuit Court on Monday and plead guilty to one count of exploitation of a vulnerable person. Judge Johnson sentenced Whatley to six years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, five years suspended with one year to serve and five years of post-release supervision.  She was also ordered to pay the full restitution of $43,980 to the victim.

At the time crimes were committed, Whatley was hired to be the caretaker of the victim.  Following the death of the victim earlier this year, a close relative discovered several suspicious ATM transactions from two of the victim's bank accounts. The investigation uncovered approximately 114 unauthorized transactions made by Whatley totaling $43,980. Several transactions were made after the death of victim.

"This case is a good example of why it is so important to look after your loved ones accounts and report discrepancies," said Attorney General Jim Hood. "There is no tolerance in this state for such abuse and our office is deeply committed to protecting our state's most vulnerable residents. We will continue to prosecute anyone doing them harm as well as make them pay back what they took."

The case was investigated by Russell Frazier of the Attorney General's Vulnerable Adult Unit and prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Larry Baker and Rachel Emfinger.

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