In-home CNA arrested for fraud and theft in an identity scam.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

An in-home certified nursing assistant, who was caring for an elderly Deltona woman with Alzheimer's, was arrested for opening a credit card in her patient's name and utilizing it to fund personal cosmetic surgery. The accused, Tiffany Acuna, 31, now faces serious charges following an investigation by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

According to a release, Deputies responded to the 88-year-old victim’s home on April 4 after a credit card bill for $7,160.11 arrived in her mail. Her husband explained no one had signed up for the account. Further investigation revealed a transaction for $7,000 on November 1, 2022, for multiple procedures at Moon Plastic Surgery, and the customer was Tiffany Acuna, also known as Tiffany Kent.

Upon uncovering these alarming details, American In-Home Care, the agency employing Acuna, promptly suspended her on April 4, the same day the allegations surfaced. In an attempt to shed light on the matter, a detective, initiated contact with Acuna via phone where she vehemently denied applying for a credit card in the victim's name or undergoing any cosmetic surgeries.

However, Acuna later called the victim's husband, expressing her desire to arrange a meeting to establish a repayment plan.

When Acuna arrived at the victim's residence on Thursday morning with an envelope containing $1,500 in cash and a loan agreement contract, deputies and detectives were awaiting her arrival. Acuna conceded and admitted that the victim had supposedly granted her permission to finance cosmetic surgery.

Tiffany Acuna faces charges of grand theft and fraudulent use of identification without the consent of a victim aged 60 or older. Following her arrest, she was promptly booked at the Volusia County Branch Jail on Thursday before being released on a $10,000 bond.