LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the conviction of a Heber Springs woman for Exploitation of an Impaired Person:
“On May 29, Sharon “Kaleigh” Hood, 30, of Heber Springs pleaded guilty to one count of Exploitation of an Endangered or Impaired Person, a Class C felony. She was sentenced to a five-year term of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, court costs, restitution in the amount of $700, and 40 hours of community service. Hood worked as a caregiver at a nursing facility in Heber Springs and used an elderly patient’s banking information to create a PayPal account and Cash App account to send herself money.
“My office will not tolerate those who exploit positions of trust to prey on our vulnerable population. We will continue to pursue justice for victims and hold bad actors accountable. I commend the exceptional work of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for their continued commitment to protecting Arkansans. And I especially thank Special Agent Heath Nelson and Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones, as well as the Prosecuting Attorney for the 16th Judicial District of Arkansas, Drew Smith.
