MADERA COUNTY — The former Director of Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst, accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a 90-year-old man afflicted with dementia, was sentenced in Madera Superior Court on Monday, Nov. 28.
Pursuant to a plea agreement, wherein the original charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor count of financial elder abuse, Kathryn (Katie) Davis, 54, was was given credit for one day served in jail, and has reportedly paid some $30,000 restitution to the victim’s family. She was ordered by Hon. Mitchell C. Rigby, presiding judge, to serve three years probation. During the time of probation, Davis is banned from all senior centers in Madera County.
“This was a very difficult case,” says Madera County District Attorney David Linn. “Although the defendant was charged with a serious crime against an elderly adult, there was significant information that she had worked diligently at the senior center and that they had benefited from her efforts.”
Letters of support for Davis from people involved at the senior center, along with a statement by the victim’s son-in-law, helped make the District Attorney’s office confident that all sides were heard on the matter.
Linn says his office is satisfied that the amount of money they proved had been diverted to Davis was returned to the family, and that she will not be allowed to work or attend any meetings at senior centers in Madera County for the term of her probation.
Davis was arrested on June 23 during a bingo game at the senior center in Oakhurst, where she was the Director. Charged with stealing money from Bill Youngs, whom she knew from the Center, the arrest of Davis followed a month-long investigation by D.A. and Sheriff’s investigators. Youngs’ family has stated that he has dementia.
