Cops: Cousin Of Two Autistic Men Took Out HELOC On Their Mortgage-Free Home, Used Proceeds For Herself; Bond Set At $75K As Residence Faces F'closure

In Palm Coast, Florida, The Daytona Beach News Journal reports:

• The 59-year-old cousin of two disabled men became involved in their financial affairs after their mother died and stole more than $70,000 from them over several years, according to State Attorney's Office officials.



• Robin Joan Carrig was charged Thursday with exploitation of a disabled person after investigators determined she took out a home equity loan on the paid-for house left to her cousins and used the money herself, reports state. The home on Cortes Court is now in foreclosure.



• The case came to light in February when Denise Williams of Helping Hands in Flagler County told investigators she had been working with the brothers to ascertain why money kept disappearing from their accounts. Managers at Walmart, where the Carrig brothers work, put them in touch with Williams.



• Robin Carrig was given limited power of attorney for her 56-year-old twin cousins, who both have a form of autism, in December 2004, two months after their mother died, a report states. She was also named their "designation of health care surrogate."



• Her name was added to the property deed a year later via a quitclaim, according to the report. The next month, Carrig set up an equity line of credit and had her cousins sign the mortgage.



• Michael Carrig did not know "why or how" his cousin was added to the deed and told investigators, "We must have did something stupid."

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• Robin Carrig was booked into the Flagler County Inmate Facility where she remained Friday on $75,000 bail.

For more, see Cousin accused of bilking disabled twins in Palm Coast.