A Muldrow woman is under investigation for alleged elder neglect and financial exploitation after authorities say she failed to pay for a family member’s care while using their funds for personal expenses.
According to a report filed by Investigator Michelle Rigsby of the Sequoyah County Sheriff ’s Department, a criminal investigation has been opened into Jonna L. Hays, 59, after Adult Protective Services (APS) substantiated claims of financial misconduct.
The alleged victim, who has been a resident of a nursing facility in Weleetka since June 2024, had reportedly not received any payments toward their care, despite retirement and Social Security funds being regularly deposited into their bank account. APS investigator Brett Riker flagged the situation after receiving a complaint from the facility and conducted an initial investigation.
Riker informed authorities that he had reviewed bank documents indicating that although deposits were being made from both the victim’s Teachers’ Retirement System and Social Security Administration, none of those funds were being used to pay the nursing facility.
The facility had been left unpaid for several months, prompting concern from its staff and eventually a formal complaint to APS, according to court documents.
The head of social services at the nursing facility confirmed to Rigsby that there was no appointed power of attorney for the alleged victim outside of the facility.
They also told officials that after repeated attempts to secure payment from the ’alleged victims family failed, they contacted APS and worked directly with the Social Security Administration to reroute funds directly to the facility. That process resulted in the first payment arriving in February 2025.
However, as of early March, no retirement funds had been redirected, and the investigation intensified.
When contacted by authorities, Hays initially agreed to meet with investigators but later backed out, citing illness.
On the day of the scheduled meeting, her attorney, Kent Ghahremani, called on her behalf and stated that she did not wish to speak to law enforcement at that time.
Ghahremani said he had not officially been retained but was advising Hays and would follow up with investigators the following week.
As of March 19, no further contact had been made.
Further scrutiny came when Rigsby contacted a local animal clinic, where staff confirmed that Hays regularly visited and made payments over the phone using a card kept on file.
This led authorities to believe she had continued access to her family member’s funds while neglecting to cover their essential care costs.
Based on the findings, Rigsby requested a warrant be issued for Hays’ arrest on charges of elder neglect, citing her failure to provide necessary care despite having control over her family member’s finances.
Court records show Hays received a $5,000 bond and is now scheduled for a June 18 felony disposition docket in Sequoyah County District Court.
If found guilty of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult, District Attorney Jack Thorp said the crime is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 10 years imprisonment.
