Left: Bailey Slater walks out of a Target near Tampa, Florida, after she allegedly stole a hospital patient”s credit card (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office). Right: Slater’s mug shot (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office).
Tasked with ensuring the well-being of hospital patients, a 28-year-old Florida woman instead stands accused of betraying this trust by stealing from a patient who was nearly a century old.
Bailey Slater, employed as a patient care technician at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital near Tampa, is alleged to have pilfered a 94-year-old patient’s wallet, using it to embark on a $500 shopping spree at Target, according to police reports.
On January 22, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that Slater took the elderly patient’s wallet and swiftly made her way to Target, where she allegedly squandered over $500 on purchases.
Authorities released surveillance footage showing Slater exiting with a shopping cart brimming with items bought using the victim’s credit card.
“Exploiting some of the most vulnerable members of our community while under the guise of providing care is both shameful and reprehensible,” commented Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We are committed to ensuring justice is served, and we hope this serves as a warning to anyone considering such actions that they will face consequences.”
Through collaboration with the hospital, detectives promptly identified Slater as the suspect in this disheartening breach of trust.
Slater faces two counts each of fraudulent use of personal information of an elderly person and unauthorized use of a credit card and one count of petit theft. After cops issued an arrest warrant, Slater turned herself in to jail on Friday. She posted a $7,500 bond the next day.
A hospital spokesperson said in a statement to local NBC affiliate WFLA that Slater has been fired.
“When HCA Florida Brandon Hospital became aware that a patient’s wallet may have been stolen, our hospital security team alerted law enforcement, which initiated an investigation,” a statement read. “The individual has since been arrested and is no longer employed by the hospital. The safety, trust and well-being of our patients and team remain our top priority.”
