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Home healthcare workers are persons of interest in thefts

If you have information on either woman, call police.
Deanna White and Brandi Buettner are persons of interest in two suspected thefts.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – Police are looking for two home health care providers linked to thefts in St. Louis County.

On Monday, St. Louis County Police share a picture of 36-year old Deanna White. Police say someone stole a wedding ring that belonged to the wife of an elderly man with cancer who was in White’s care. The gold ring was later sold for cash and sent to a smelter, police said.

Police say White is a person of interest in the case.

Police are also looking for 42-year old Brandi Buettner, another home care health worker. Police say she is a person of interest in a series of forgeries and theft of more than $3,000 of a 91-year old woman in her care.

“It’s terrible to think that these two individuals could still be out there doing these types of things to people as we speak,” said St. Louis County Police spokesman, Officer Benjamin Granda. “So that’s why it’s so important that we get them into custody and speak to them as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call St. Louis County Police. Neither woman is currently in custody or facing charges.

“You’ve got to protect your loved ones,” said Suzy Newman, the Assistant Administrator for Home Health and Hospice at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield. “You have to know that these people are going to be in their home and your loved one is in a vulnerable position and they need someone to advocate for them.”

St. Luke’s Hospital is not involved in St. Louis County’s investigation.

St. Luke’s also does not provide long-term, private duty in-home care. The hospital does provide temporary home care as a patient transitions out of hospital care.

Newman offered some advice for other families considering home health care from a hospital group, organization, or private individual.

“You want to make sure they’re insured and bonded. You want to make sure they are background checked,” she said. “Make sure somebody is providing oversight to this person to make sure that the relationship is a healthy one and make sure their loved one does not become a victim.”

Newman also recommends keep valuables like jewelry, cash, checkbooks and credit cards out of sight and well-hidden. It takes time to build trust, but some people can still be tempted years after working with a patient.

“It can be someone you’ve known for years, and you suddenly realize they’ve been writing checks from moms account for years now,” she said.

Newman says most home health care workers care deeply for their patients and would never consider stealing. However, she encourages people to research who they hire and remember elderly people can be vulnerable.

“You really have to watch out for yourself and your loved ones,” she said.

If you are looking for a home healthcare provider, you can find information here.

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