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Man charged with taking $14K from his mother with dementia

ELKHART, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana man faces forgery charges for allegedly taking more than $14,000 from the bank accounts of his mother, who has dementia.

Fifty-four-year-old Tommy Atkinson was charged after investigators learned the Elkhart man’s 76-year-old mother lacks the capacity to make informed decisions regarding her needs.

The Elkhart Truth reports employees at the woman’s bank had expressed concern that Atkinson was removing cash from his mother’s accounts without her knowledge or permission.

Bank records showed more than $14,000 in ATM withdrawals from her accounts last November and December.

Atkinson is charged with forgery with intent to defraud and exploitation of an endangered adult who’s at least 60. He remained jailed Monday in Elkhart County on a $5,000 bond. Court records don’t list an attorney who could speak on his behalf.