On Sept. 19, William Joseph Bayes of Hattiesburg was sentenced by Forrest County Circuit Judge Robert Helfrich to five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), was sentenced to 5 years Non-Adjudicated probation. Bayes will have to pay restitution to his victim’s estate in the amount of $75,500. He was also required to transfer back title of a car to the victim’s estate that he had unlawfully transferred to himself before the victim’s death.

On Oct. 3,  Sheree Daniels of Aberdeen was sentenced by Monroe County Circuit Judge Michael P. Mills, Jr. to five years in

the custody of MDOC, with five years suspended and three years of supervision. Daniels will have to pay restitution in the amount of $2,129.17 to the victim, for whom Daniels was engaged as a home health assistant.

On Oct. 3,  Verneka Watson of Sardis was sentenced by DeSoto County Circuit Judge Celeste Wilson to five years of Non-Adjudicated probation in the custody of MDOC. Watson will have to pay restitution in the amount of $13,894.85 to her six victims, all residents of Millcreek of Olive Branch, where she served as site manager.

Both Daniels and Watson will be placed on the Federal Exclusions list for five years and prohibited from working in a healthcare facility.

“As our loved ones become older, they become vulnerable to financial abuse, often at the hands of those who have been entrusted with caring for them. If you suspect that a family member or friend is being taken advantage of, do not hesitate to contact my office. The sooner we can stop the bad actor, the better the chance of full recovery for their victim,” Fitch said in a press release.