Centralia police arrest woman for financial exploitation of 96-year-old vulnerable adult
The Centralia Police Department has arrested a woman accused of financially exploiting a 96-year-old vulnerable adult, according to a news release from the police department.
On April 8, officers responded to concerns from neighbors and Adult Protective Services (APS) referrals regarding the victim, who has been diagnosed with dementia, requires skilled nursing care, and is considered a vulnerable adult under Washington law, according to the release.
The investigation revealed that Kristine Hughey, 58, originally from California, had been acting as the victim's caregiver and roommate since approximately mid-2025 and had obtained a durable power of attorney over the victim in September 2025.
Shortly thereafter, police say Hughey transferred the deed to the victim's Centralia home into her own name via a quitclaim deed, claiming it as a "gift." Bank records obtained with the victim's consent showed that, after Hughey gained control of the accounts, approximately $78,000 was withdrawn or spent between September 2025 and March 2026, far exceeding the victim's monthly income of roughly $8,000 from Social Security and pension benefits, according to the news release.
Unauthorized transactions included:
-More than $21,400 in cash withdrawals
-Tens of thousands of dollars in additional spending on horse-related items
-Recurring charges inconsistent with the victim's situation as a nursing-home resident without a vehicle or livestock
The victim told detectives she did not authorize large cash withdrawals or personal expenditures and believed the power of attorney and property transfer were intended only to allow Hughey to handle household bills and for inheritance after the victim's death. The victim has since expressed her desire to revoke the power of attorney, according to police.
Hughey has an extensive multi-state criminal history involving fraud, forgery, theft and identity-related offenses in California, Colorado, Oregon, Maryland, Michigan and Nevada, with multiple aliases documented, according to police.
Hughey was arrested without incident and booked into Lewis County Jail on one count of forgery, 10 counts of first-degree theft and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. The investigation remains active.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Centralia Police Department at 360-330-7680.
No further information will be provided at this time, police said.
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.