Former manager of St. James group home pleads guilty to stealing money from residents

A former manager at a St. James home for vulnerable individuals pleaded guilty Monday to stealing funds from residents in her care, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.

Officials said Desiree Etheridge, 50, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny before acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.

Etheridge is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 24. She faces 1 to 3 years in prison.

Court documents in the case alleged that from November 2018 to June 2021, Etheridge "stole funds from the ATM cards" of six residents at the Eden II facility in St. James.

Though the district attorney’s office did not detail the dollar amount of the thefts, officials said facility manager Etheridge was in a position to "withdraw money to place in each resident’s petty cash envelope" ahead of outings to eateries and local stores.

Due to her role, Etheridge had "control and access" of residents' bank accounts and debit cards. But residents found Etheridge had "depleted" those accounts during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said.

Eden II specializes in the care and treatment of individuals with autism.

Etheridge voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement agents on Aug. 12, 2022.

"This case represents a grievous breach of trust," Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement, adding: "The defendant exploited vulnerable individuals who relied on her for their basic needs and financial management. She took advantage of the COVID-19 shutdown, when these residents were already isolated and at risk, to deplete their accounts.

"This guilty plea is a step toward justice for the victims, but it cannot undo the harm caused to these residents who were simply trying to maintain some quality of life during difficult times," Tierney said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”