Janice May Tumeth, 77, jailed for stealing, fraud after $88,000 of sister-in-laws retirement funds vanish

A Kingaroy aged care facility began asking questions when payments for one of their residents began to fail, despite her previously having a hefty bank balance.

An elderly woman has been thrown behind bars after spending more than $88,000 dollars of her sister-in-law’s life savings, which was entrusted to her while her victim resided in a Kingaroy aged care facility.

Janice May Tumeth, 77, was granted power of attorney over her sister-in-law’s finances while she was living in the Orana Aged Care Facility, giving Tumeth the power to pay expenses and make investments for her.

Between 2014 and 2019 Tumeth withdrew a total $80,446.95 of her sister-in-law’s money, with the deception finally uncovered by Orana after several failed payments from the depleted account.

Kingaroy's Orana Lutheran Complex alerted police to the theft after several failed payment attempts from the victim’s account.

Hundreds of transactions took place across southeast Queensland including Wondai, Kingaroy, Murgon, Nanango, Windsor and Toowoomba, despite the 77-year-old being unable to drive, Kingaroy Magistrates Court was told.

“A quick calculation shows that you must have been helping yourself to this money, which belonged to your sister-in-law, at least twice a week,” Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said.

“Enduring powers of attorney are given commonly to trusted family members, or very close friends, for people who aren't in a position to look after themselves.”

“The offences are extremely serious, involving a position of trust for a very vulnerable victim.”

Defence lawyer Jay Rose said her client couldn’t provide any information on the current whereabouts of this stolen cash, but claims at least some of the money was used to purchase items for the victim.

None of the money owing to the victim or Orana has been repaid.

Tumeth pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including five counts of stealing and five counts of fraud.

The elderly woman was sentenced to two years in jail, with her parole date set for December 15 this year.