(WWJ) A Macomb County woman has been charged with murder in connection with the death of a man for whom she'd worked as an in-home caregiver.
The Macomb County Sheriff's Office said 52-year old Linda Polk of Clinton Township was arrested Wednesday after a months-long investigation in the death of a 78-year old Macomb Township man.
Investigators said Polk began providing in-home care for the victim’s wife in spring of 2021. In early 2024, the victim reportedly began to decline in health as well. Due to an illness in October of 2024, he was transferred to a local hospital and placed on life support.
After Polk was able to obtain Power of Attorney for the victim, she allegedly told hospital personnel to take him off life support, and he died a couple weeks later.
Polk never told the victim's family, and then allegedly used her attorney privileges to set up a fraudulent deed on the home, embezzle a large sum of money, and use his credit cards, the sheriff's office said.
Polk is charged with first degree murder, vulnerable adult abuse, embezzlement, identity theft, and illegal use of a financial transaction device.
She was arraigned via Zoom in 41-B District Court on Thursday and ordered held on a $1,000,000 cash/surety bond. She was ordered to surrender her passport, and must wear a steel cuff tether if she is released.
The sheriff's office said the Clinton Township Police Department is also investigating Polk on fraud charges.