Caregiver accused of fraudulently using clients’ debit cards to shop, buy food, watch movies and pay court fees
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UPDATE
The charges against Jenna Nicole Kinghorn were dismissed after a motion by the prosecutor on Jan. 24, 2022.
ORIGINAL STORY
IDAHO FALLS — Police arrested an Idaho Falls caregiver for allegedly using two clients’ debit cards for her own expenses.
The first investigation into 33-year-old Jenna Nicole Kinghorn began in December 2020 after a woman contacted the Idaho Falls Police Department when she spotted fraudulent purchases on her husband’s debit card.
Kinghorn worked as the man’s home health nurse and allegedly used his debit card to make over $1,250 in online payments to Bonneville County for court fees and fines, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.
An officer spoke with Kinghorn’s boss, who said they had reports of the employee doing similar things in the past.
When speaking with Kinghorn about the alleged use of the man’s card to pay her court fees, she denied using it and said she would call her lawyer, according to charging documents.
A second investigation into Kinghorn began in April when she went to work for another company that provides caregivers to people with developmental disabilities. Her manager contacted the Idaho Falls Police Department saying Kinghorn used a client’s debit card online and at a local convenience store.
The client’s power of attorney alerted staff of the alleged fraud when finding a $392.19 expenditure on his account. A search of the account uncovered four other suspicious charges, one for $21 at Maverik, $8.99 to Netflix, $3.31 to Domino’s Pizza and another at Walmart.
Supporters of the man with disabilities checked with Maverik, who said the $21 purchase was made in conjunction with a loyalty account under Kinghorn’s name and phone number. The online Walmart order was being shipped to Kinghorn’s address, according to court documents.
When investigators confronted Kinghorn about the new allegations, she denied using the man’s debit card, saying she only uses her own cards at Walmart and Maverik.
Kinghorn was charged last week with two felony counts of grand theft. She was arrested and booked into the Bonneville County Jail Tuesday but then posted $20,000 bail.
An initial appearance for Kinghorn is scheduled for Wednesday at the Bonneville County Courthouse.
Although Kinghorn is accused of crimes, it does not necessarily mean she committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.