WOMAN INDICTED ON 101 CHARGES AFTER ELDERLY VICTIMS REPORT MISSING ITEMS

Posted on 6/15/2016

Defendant: Susan Gwynne

A Delaware County Grand Jury has returned a 101-count indictment against 55-year-old Susan Gwynne of Columbus.  Charges come after a January 2016 call to authorities reporting personal items were missing from an elderly resident at the Inn at Olentangy Trail.  “After the initial call, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office released a picture of the suspect which had been captured on surveillance video at the assisted living facility,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien. “Further investigation resulted in a search warrant being issued for Susan Gwynne’s residence and the seizure of more than 3,000 items, mostly jewelry.”  Other items reported missing include cash, credit cards, watches, social security cards, dog tags etc.  Since the initial report and release of the suspect’s picture, additional victims have come forward. The indictment against Gwynne specifically lists 31 victims ranging in age from their 70s, 80s, and 90s, to the oldest victim being 101 years old.  The victims are residents of senior living facilities in both Delaware and Franklin Counties. The Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office is working in cooperation with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office to resolve the case.  “Although it is quite often very difficult to detect elder abuse, it is a preventable problem that unfortunately occurs within every gender, race, and socioeconomic class,” said Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien.  “This defendant preyed upon dozens of elderly victims throughout central Ohio for her own financial gain and this type of exploitation must be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”  Charges against Gwynne include 31 counts of burglary – all second-degree felonies, 43 counts of theft (four of which are third-degree felonies, 12 are fourth-degree felonies, and 27 are fifth-degree felonies), 12 counts of possessing criminal tools – fifth-degree felonies, and 15 counts of receiving stolen property – all first-degree misdemeanors.  The time frame included in the indictment spans from April 2008 thought March 2016.  Senior facilities affected thus far include The Inn at Olentangy Trail, Abbington of Powell, Forum at Knightsbridge, Friendship Village of Dublin, Brookdale Trillium Crossing, National Church Residences, Sunrise of Dublin, Village at Westerville, Friendship Village of Columbus, Danbury at Parkside, Danbury of Columbus, Brookdale Senior Living, and Abbington of Arlington.  

If you think you have been a victim or have any information, please call the Delaware County Sheriff’s office at (740) 833-2831.

 An arraignment date for Gwynne has not yet been set.