Police: Batavia retirement home employee forged resident’s check

A 19-year-old caretaker at a Batavia assisted living facility is accused of stealing a check from a resident and forging a $1,000 payment to herself.

Teejana S. Perry, of the 29W400 block of Hawthorne Lane, Warrenville faces felony charges of exploitation of an elderly person and forgery after the victim’s family noticed the missing money and called police, officials said. Perry, a caretaker at Heritage Woods, 1079 E. Wilson St., is accused of stealing a check from a client, forging it and making a $1,000 withdrawal from the woman’s bank on Nov. 20, Batavia Police Detective Kevin Bretz said.

The woman’s family members noticed the discrepancy when they were balancing her checkbook, called police and Perry was arrested Saturday, Bretz said.

“(The check) was not authorized,” Bretz said. “We believe this is a first-time offense by her.”

According to court records, Perry committed the act “while standing in a position of trust and confidence” to the victim.

Marcy LoDolce, administrator at Heritage Woods, declined to comment on what Perry’s duties entailed and if she had been fired.

“Our residents, their safety and security is our top priority,” LoDolce said.

Perry is due in court Wednesday. If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison, but fines and probation also are options.

She is free on bond while her case is pending.