Home Health Nurse Accused Of Taking Patient’s Money For Son’s Prom

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro woman was arrested after police said she accessed a patient’s phone and transferred money to help pay for her son’s prom expenses.

Gennifer Smith, 37, of Jonesboro, was arrested after officers responded May 5 to a residence on Walker Place for a report of unauthorized financial transfers, according to a probable cause affidavit.

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The alleged victim told officers his home health nurse, identified as Smith, withdrew $30 from his Cash App and Apple Pay accounts and directed the funds to herself and her son, the affidavit says.

To support his claim, the victim provided transaction statements showing that a Cash App transfer was sent to an account registered under the same first name as Smith’s son, according to the affidavit.

During a Mirandized interview, Smith confessed to accessing the victim’s phone without permission, the affidavit says. She told officers her intent was to transfer the money to her son to cover expenses related to his prom.

Smith faces a Class D felony charge of computer fraud, along with misdemeanor charges of theft and two counts of fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.

Bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety. Her next court date is June 26.

A Class D felony is punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.