A Washington Parish woman was arrested Monday, after allegedly taking advantage of an elderly relative for her own personal financial benefit, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Haley said that Angie S. Stewart, 42, a resident of W. P. Stewart Road south of Bogalusa, was arrested Monday, and placed in the Washington Parish Jail, charged with financial exploitation of an elderly relative. Her bond has been set by a 22nd Judicial District Court Judge at $100,000. If convicted of the offense, Stewart faces a possible fine of up to $10,000 and a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years, or both, Haley said.

In January 2017, the WPSO learned of Stewart’s illegal activities and began an investigation, Haley said. WPSO Det. Demmie Rice then spent several months sorting through the fraudulent financial misappropriation of funds for the past several years.

Haley said that Stewart was granted power of attorney over her relative’s finances to ensure that the estate would be used solely for the care of the elderly relative. Instead, the finances were used to benefit Stewart, causing the elderly relative to endure severe financial hardship and the possible loss of her residence, Haley said. The power of attorney was revoked in early 2017.

“There is no way that I can fully comprehend an evil deed such as this,” Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “Words cannot adequately express the disgust that I feel. Det. Rice spent many, many long hours on this case and did an exceptional job unraveling the complicated web of fraud and abuse which has gone on for the past several years.

“Finally, Stewart is being brought to justice and the matter is now in the hands of the criminal justice system to determine her fate. Thank you, Det. Rice, for your exceptional work.”