Caregiver In Amherst Pleads Guilty To Stealing From Elderly Client

Nobody wants it to be their grandparent or their parents to be a victim of a scam, but unfortunately one 94-year-old woman who was only seeking to be cared for, ended up being taken advantage of in her own home.

On Tuesday in Erie County Court, two witnesses testified against Brigid Buseman (may also be known as Brigid McKirchy) who was the home health aide for a 94-year-old woman in the Town of Amherst back in 2019.  

The Erie County District Attorney’s office confirmed that the 31-year old previous home aide pleaded guilty in county court on Tuesday to falsifying personal checks that she received for payment from February to September 2019, admitting to fraudulently obtaining over $35,000 in payments from the 94-year old victim. 

After admitting her actions, Buseman (a.k.a. McKirchy) pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony. She will face up to seven years in prison after being sentenced by the Erie County Court Judge on June 10.

According to the FBI, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud or scheme, which may involve romance or lottery related scams. Criminals typically attempt to gain their targets’ trust and communicate with them on a regular basis until they are able to make some kind of financial “profit” for them. 

Seniors are often targeted because “they tend to be trusting and polite,” according to the FBI. They also typically have financial savings, own a household, and most of them have good credit. 

Be careful of who you allow into your home and who you trust with your financial information. 

The DA’s office said anyone who believes they have been the victim of a similar crime should call them at 716-858-2424.