OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – A heartbreaking story emerges from Oklahoma City, where an 80-year-old veteran is grappling with tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent credit card charges. His son believes the director of his father’s care might be responsible for this mess, as she is already facing charges related to forging his name on a check.
Paul Lewellen expressed his anguish: “I’m mad, I’m sad—it’s overwhelming.”
Russell, Paul’s father, suffers from dementia that has rendered him unable to manage basic tasks. “He struggles just to order a pizza; he can’t be left alone, but I simply can’t provide the round-the-clock care he needs,” Paul explained. In 2022, he hired Kelly Baird as a caretaker, reportedly paying her around $600 weekly for her services.
Unfortunately, Paul began noticing suspicious charges on his father’s credit card—purchases his father would never have made. “There were charges totalling hundreds of dollars at Walmart, along with significant sums at Ulta Beauty Supply and even a local pet store,” he recounted.
“And that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said Paul, as he revealed that countless transactions were made online, creating a mountain of charges he didn’t anticipate. Showing a credit statement to KFOR, he pointed out dozens of transactions through PayPal alone.
“Finding out about all this feels like taking a blow to the gut with a baseball bat,” Paul shared, recognizing the gravity of his discovery. Once he started putting the pieces together, he made the tough choice to fire Baird and reach out to the Oklahoma City Police for assistance.
The growing financial strain led to spiraling debt, as charges, laden with interest, swelled to over $75,000 today. “This is beyond comprehension, and yet here we are,” Paul lamented.
A serious concern looms as Russell, whose condition causes him to respond to billing statements as if he were seeing them for the first time, is repeatedly confronted with these distressing bills. “He gets collection letters twice a month—it disturbs him deeply, and it takes time to help him regain his composure,” according to Paul.
Although he remained vigilant about seeking a resolution, Paul has, unfortunately, seen no tangible progress made until now concerning the fraudulent acts. In an alarming incident in October 2024, Baird is accused of attempting to deposit a check for $5,600 from Russell’s account into her bank. While Paul quickly reported this event as well, the formal charge didn’t materialize until the following July.
According to charges filed by the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office, the police confronted Baird, who admitted to the fraudulent activity. KFOR attempted to reach her for clarification on Paul’s allegations, but she denied any wrongdoing, claiming no knowledge of the situation.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Baird insisted. KFOR has since reached out to the Oklahoma City Police, which confirmed that they are investigating the matter thoroughly. ‘
Meanwhile, Paul and his father are left in a tough spot, raising ongoing concerns over these debts and the implications they bring. “It’s astonishing to witness this all unfold,” Paul reflected.
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