By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
EL RENO – A former caretaker accused of stealing from a Yukon nursing home resident has pleaded guilty to petty larceny.
Bethany’s Malycia V. Duponte, 28, received a two-year deferred sentence at a June 10 preliminary hearing before Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar in Canadian County District Court.
Duponte had been charged in September 2020 with exploitation of an elderly person by deception/intimidation, a felony crime punishable by up to 10 years in state prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
As part of a plea agreement, Canadian County prosecutors amended the charge to misdemeanor petty larceny and sentencing was deferred for two years.
Duponte was initially charged stemming from a Yukon police investigation into a July 2020 larceny at Gran Gran’s Place, 1110 S Cornwell.
The defendant “knowingly through deception” obtained an Apple iPad that belonged to an elderly resident intending to “temporarily or permanently deprive” the victim of the property, according to the charging document.
Prosecutors alleged the former caretaker “stood in a position of trust and confidence” with the elderly victim.
A Yukon police officer learned Duponte’s last day of work at the senior facility was July 26, 2020, the day she reportedly agreed to help the elderly tenant perform an update on her iPad.
“The defendant left with the iPad and never returned,” according to a probable cause affidavit signed by Det. Dave Carroll.
When investigators failed to reach Duponte, she was formally charged in district court.
COMMUNITY SERVICE, COMMUNITY ORDERED
Duponte appeared at the June 10th court hearing with her attorney, Karla Tankut.
Judge Strubhar ordered the defendant to be supervised by the Canadian County District Attorney’s Office and comply with the rules and conditions of probation, according to court minutes.
Duponte must perform 25 hours of community service, and pay $280 in restitution, a $50 fine, $50 victim’s compensation assessment and court-related costs.
A bench warrant for Duponte had been issued Aug. 13, 2021, when she failed to appear for a court hearing after being released July 8 on a $5,000 bond, according to district court records.
The warrant was served May 28 and she surrendered.
