Woman Arrested After Defrauding Her Neice of More Than $73,000

     On December 6, 2010, a subject reported to the Baxter County Sheriff's Office she was the victim of Fraud and Theft. The victim stated the incident had occurred while she was a minor and  in the care of her Aunt.

     An investigation was conducted by Investigator Drayton McDaniel of the Baxter County Sheriff's Office. Numerous records subpoenaed and reviewed. The records indicate that the victim was seriously injured in an accident and was issued a settlement. The victim's Aunt was in care and custody of the victim and was granted a request to become the Guardian of the Estate. When the victim turned 18 years of age, the victim discovered there wasn't any money left from the settlement and that there were thousands of dollars in medical expenses still outstanding and not paid. Evidence indicates that the suspect, received checks on behalf of the victim for more than $73,900 but did not spend the money on the victim or pay the victim's medical expenses.

     Authorities from the Baxter County Sheriff's Office, the Mountain Home Police Department and the Arkansas State Police were involved in a search warrant at McMains residence on 12th street, but she was not found at the residence. Authorities found McMains hiding at residence at an apartment complex in Northern Mountain Home. She was arrested without incident.

Teresa Lynn McMains, age 38 of Mountain Home, is charged with:

Theft of Property Class B Felony

     She was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center on bond of $83,000 and is scheduled to appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on January 06, 2011.

The investigation is continuing.

Sheriff John Montgomery