Caregiver Allegedly Steals From Fairbanks Cancer Patient, Spends Money on Alcohol and Cigarettes

A live-in caregiver is accused of abusing her privileges with her employer’s bank card to buy herself cigarettes and alcohol.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Oct 20, 2011 at 11:12 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2011 at 11:12 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — A live-in caregiver is accused of abusing her privileges with her employer’s bank card to buy herself cigarettes and alcohol.

Dawn M. Shook, 42, who was caring for a woman in the Fairbanks area with liver cancer, had an arrangement to buy things for the woman’s home using blank checks and the woman’s bank card, according to the criminal complaint against Shook.

On Monday, Shook’s employer told Alaska State Troopers her bank balance was off by more than $500 and she suspected Shook. She said she had to borrow money from a friend to buy toilet paper and dog food because of the missing money.

Shook told troopers she used her employer’s bank card six times on Oct. 11 to buy alcohol and cigarettes at Club AK for a total of $353.75. She said she did not have permission to use the card at the bar and that she knew it was wrong, troopers said.

She also told troopers that while she had misused the bank card, she had never misused blank checks her employer gave her.

She was charged with six counts of fraudulent use of an access device, a felony, and six counts of misdemeanor theft.

Contact staff writer Sam Friedman at 459-7545.

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Anonymous said on Thursday, Oct 20 at 9:00 PM

I read this headline and felt ill. I am a caregiver and many friends of mine are caregivers. We are good, honest, and hardworking people who take pride in our work. Please don't think that one rotten apple fairly represents all caregivers.

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ToeNailJr. said on Thursday, Oct 20 at 4:29 PM

As a caregiver at an assisted living home I find this behavior highly offensive. And to work in this industry every person is suppose to have a background check through the state that checks out there criminal records throughout the united states and even other countries. This is just one person who saw a chance to take advantage of a vulnerable person and did it. Please don't read this and think that all caregivers feel this way.

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one good apple said on Thursday, Oct 20 at 2:33 PM

Not all caregivers are thieves. This is a disgrace!

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thinkin' said on Thursday, Oct 20 at 11:55 AM

Adult Protection Services are required in some cases that an individual hires a caregiver... For God's sakes go thru the VA for a clearance. If you don't want a soldier then the spouses are good caregivers right? Clearance to live on base...so most of the time they want out of the house and the soldiers want them gone..lol..or go to the cop shop and see if a spouse of a cop is available...don't hire off craigslist...and if the VA or cop shop can't help they will point you to who can and safely

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