OKALOOSA COUNTY HOUSEKEEPER ARRESTED

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office says a housekeeper has been arrested for exploiting a partially disabled woman and her terminally ill husband while working at their home between September and April. The victims – a 75-year-old woman and her 80-year-old husband – said they had been paying Elissa Pederson $400 a week to help with housework. The woman was contacted by Discover card regarding suspicious charges, but said she never owned or applied for the card. However, Pedersen was listed as an authorized user on the account and there were fraudulent charges for clothing, perfume and designer handbags as well as a trip to New Orleans. It was found that Pederson also stole jewelry which she pawned. Pedersen turned herself in on Monday and was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail.