Benton County Woman Charged With Exploiting Vulnerable Person

COLLINS Daily Journal JACKSON – A Benton County woman has been arrested and charged with exploitation of a vulnerable person, according to Attorney General Jim Hood. Melissa Collins, 39, of Hickory Flat, voluntarily surrendered Friday at the Union County Jail. Collins was employed with Total Care Services of Greenwood. She served as an aide and was being paid by the Division of Medicaid to provide homemaker services at a patient’s home in New Albany. Collins is accused of using the patient’s debit card over a period of several days to make four withdrawals of $100 each from the patient’s bank account with the patient’s consent. The Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit conducted the investigation. Collins is free after posting a $10,000 bond.