BAY MINETTE, Ala. — A 28-year-old Bay Minette woman is facing a felony charge after investigators say she stole nearly $400,000 in cash from the residents whose home she was hired to clean, according to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s officials said the case began on August 25, 2026, when the office received a report of a large theft of U.S. currency from a private residence. The victims told deputies that close to $400,000 in cash had been taken from their home, and they identified their cleaning lady as the primary suspect.
Interview Led to Admission
Investigators identified the suspect as Tabitha White, 28, of Bay Minette, and brought her in for questioning about the missing money. During that interview, White told investigators that over the course of several months she had taken what she described as “handfuls” of cash while cleaning the victims’ residence, according to the sheriff’s office.
What began as a single report of stolen currency quickly widened, investigators said. As detectives continued their work, they developed information that White had allegedly used the stolen money to buy a range of goods — purchases that ultimately helped them build the case.
Search Warrant and Seized Property
That information led investigators to obtain and execute a search warrant at White’s residence. During the search, deputies seized documents connected to the purchases along with numerous items believed to have been bought with the stolen funds.
The seized property included vehicles, four-wheelers, electronics, lawn equipment, construction supplies, and other items, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators say the documents recovered during the search will help them trace how much of the missing money was spent and where it went.
Felony Charge Under Alabama’s Elder Exploitation Law
White was booked on one felony count of Financial Exploitation of the Elderly. Alabama lawmakers elevated that conduct to a felony through legislation passed in 2013, a measure designed to give prosecutors a dedicated tool against those who take advantage of senior citizens’ trust, assets, or finances. The charge reflects that the alleged victims in this case are elderly residents.
Sheriff’s officials cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges may be filed as the inquiry continues.
A Broader Problem on the Gulf Coast
Cases like this one highlight a pattern that law enforcement and elder advocacy groups across Alabama have warned about for years: a significant share of financial crimes against seniors are committed not by strangers, but by people in positions of trust — caregivers, housekeepers, contractors, and even family members with access to a victim’s home and finances.
Because many older victims are reluctant to report these crimes, sheriff’s offices across the state urge families to stay involved in the financial lives of elderly relatives, to watch for sudden changes in spending or missing valuables, and to report suspicious activity promptly so investigators can act while evidence is still fresh.
In this case, the quick report from the victims allowed Baldwin County investigators to move from an initial complaint to an interview, a search warrant, and an arrest within days.
White’s case now moves through the Baldwin County court system. Anyone with additional information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.