LEESBURG, Fla. – A Leesburg woman was convicted after she exploited an elderly widow and stole around $350,000 from her, according to Attorney General James Uthmeier.
HOW THE SCHEME WORKED
Recommended Videos
In a release on Wednesday, state officials said that the woman — identified as Kimberly Ruth Bitting, 58 — obtained power of attorney over her elderly neighbor shortly after her husband died in August 2021.
Over the next 15-18 months, Bitting used her authority to issue several checks from the victim’s accounts to her own accounts and those of others; make repeated ATM withdrawals; and transfer funds from investment accounts, officials added.
“Bitting used more than $137,000 of the victim’s money to purchase two parcels of land in Calhoun County that were titled to a trust in Bitting’s name,” the release reads. “Substantial sums also went to her daughter and a paid caregiver, often framed as payments for services.”
Per the release, Bitting also restricted the victim’s communications with family, controlled access within the home, and even threatened to have the victim declared incompetent and committed.
“The victim ultimately left of her own free will, revoked the power of attorney, and relocated to New York to live with her sister,” the release continues. “Bitting subsequently reported the departure as a kidnapping.”
CONVICTION
While she was initially arrested in 2024, Uthmeier announced on Wednesday that she was convicted of the following charges:
- Elderly exploitation (breach of power of attorney)
- Elderly exploitation (Position of trust or confidence)
- Elderly exploitation (Negligent or intentional misuse)
- Cashing or depositing an item with intent to defraud
“This defendant systematically exploited a vulnerable senior widow grieving the loss of her husband, abusing a power of attorney to drain her life savings, purchase property for herself, and isolate her from family,” Uthmeier said. “Florida will not tolerate those who prey on our elderly under the guise of caregiving or trust. I thank the Leesburg Police Department, Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Taylor Chatting, and Special Counsel Ana Sacco for their outstanding work securing this conviction.”
CO-DEFENDANTS
The release also shows that co-defendant Ashton Silvis, Bitting’s daughter who received substantial payments from the victim’s accounts, entered an open plea on the eve of trial and awaits sentencing.
Meanwhile, co-defendant Lara Larsen, who served as a caregiver, testified for the state, with her help proving “critical to the prosecuting,” the release adds.
Both Silvis and Bitting await sentencing, which will be scheduled for a future date.