DELAWARE, OH (WCMH) — When the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help in identifying a woman who was stealing from elderly residents of assisted living facilities in February, they had no way of knowing that they would eventually recover thousands of pieces of jewelry, keepsakes and other items.

The four month long criminal investigation is now under review at the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office pending presentation to a grand jury. Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect.

Cheryl Phalen learned recently that her mother, Eleanor Rolf, was one of the victims. Rolf died last September at the age of 98. She was living at Brookdale Trillium Crossing, a senior living center in northwest Columbus, at the time.

When detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home in Columbus in March, they recovered more than 3,000 items including a small jewelry box that had Rolf’s name and previous address inside. Phalen has now identified more than 50 other items of her mothers in photographs supplied by investigators.

“I’m still only six months out from losing my mom and I’m thankful she is not here to know this happened because she would be beyond upset,” Phalen told NBC4. “Just the idea that somebody went into her room and violated her trust and privacy, I mean I don’t even have words for what I’m feeling right now.”

When asking for the public’s help, detectives released surveillance photos of the suspect dressed as a health care worker. They believe she used the disguise to gain access to residents’ rooms.

Detectives say they are now working with more than 40 families. They say the suspect targeted elderly females in their 90’s and living in upscale senior living centers. They say the jewelry recovered includes a lot of gold and gold watches.

Phalen says the suspect is believed to have been operating for five years. She offers some advice to anyone moving a loved one into N assisted living facility. “Take pictures of everything you in there with them,” Phalen said. “I would ask the facility…’how are you going to make sure that my mom or my dad or whomever it is, that they’re safe, they secured, that nobody’s going to come in their rooms’.”

The Delaware County Prosecutors Office declined to comment on the case other than to say it is currently under review.

A message asking for comment was left with Brookdale Senior Living.What others are clicking on: