Tewksbury Resident Heads to Trial, Charged With Theft of $16,000

A Tewksbury resident charged with stealing more than $16,000 from a 75-year-old resident of the Wakefield nursing home will go to trial this week.

Authorities allege Laura Siano, 62, of Tewksbury, stole more than $16,000 from the bank account of a resident of the nursing home at which she was employed, Kirkwood House Nursing Home in Wakefield. 

Siano is set to appear in Malden District Court on Wednesday, Jan. 8

A criminal complaint was issued against Siano in Malden District Court in July.

Siano was the director of nursing at Kirkwood House Nursing Home, and has been charged with one count of larceny over $250.

An investigation in November 2011 by the State Attorney General's Office revealed that more than $16,000 had been misappropriated from the bank account of a resident of Kirkwood House Nursing Home.

Authorities allege Siano was entrusted to manage the resident's bank account, making repeated unauthorized cash withdrawals from the resident’s checking account, typically in amounts of $300-$400.

Siano also used the resident's debit card to make personal purchases such as a laptop, decorative items, cat food and cat litter at stores including Wal-Mart, Christmas Tree Shops and Jo-Ann Fabrics, according to the release. 

According to authorities, no documentation could be provided to confirm whether any of the withdrawals or purchases were made in connection to the resident's needs.