BRANDON, Fla. – A stay at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital turned into a criminal investigation last month after a staff member allegedly preyed on a nearly century-old patient.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Bailey Slater, a 28-year-old patient care technician, was taken into custody following a series of unauthorized shopping trips funded by a patient’s stolen wallet.
The trouble started on January 22, 2026, when the elderly victim discovered her wallet was missing. Detectives say Slater didn’t waste any time, hitting local registers and racking up over $500 in fraudulent charges before the day was over.
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The hospital’s internal security team flagged the suspicious activity and teamed up with investigators to trace the transactions back to the technician.
“Taking advantage of some of our most vulnerable community members while entrusted with their care is shameful and reprehensible,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will make sure justice is served, and we hope anyone considering this kind of behavior understands they will be held accountable.”
After a warrant was issued for her arrest, Slater turned herself in at the Orient Road Jail on January 30. She now faces a laundry list of charges, including first-degree petit theft, two counts of unauthorized credit card use, and two counts of fraudulent use of personal information belonging to an elderly person.
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While Slater is no longer at the bedside, the investigation remains active as authorities double-check if any other patients were affected during her employment.
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