Woman Arrested in Elder Abuse Case
Detectives with the Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit arrested Santa Barbara resident Rosemary Baugh (pictured) on 11/27 after an investigation revealed she had taken over $650,000 from an 80-year-old man with Alzheimer’s disease. Baugh, 57, became the victim’s caretaker — they had been longtime acquaintances — following the death of his only local relative in 2011. Over the years, detectives said, Baugh used the victim’s money to buy a mobile home, shop online, make multiple purchases per day from QVC and the Home Shopping Network, and pay for psychic services. She also married the victim, then filed for divorce two weeks later, seeking spousal support of $10,000 per month. The investigation began when out-of-town relatives visited the victim and found him malnourished and living in squalor. Baugh is charged with grand theft, financial elder abuse, and elder neglect.
