A Spokane County sheriff's spokesman says officers arrested a Spokane Valley woman accused of preying on an elderly trailer park neighbor's fears to steal $10,000 from the victim's bank account.

Deputy Mark Gregory said Wednesday that paramedics visited the 91-year-old resident's home recently and told her that because of the clutter she perhaps needed to be in a nursing home or have someone help her clean up. The park manager told officers he thinks a neighbor overheard this conversation and quickly contacted the victim.

The younger woman is accused of promising to help her neighbor stay out of a nursing home if she signed power of attorney documents. Gregory says $10,000 was withdrawn from the elderly woman's bank account the day after those documents were signed.

Deputies arrested 53-year-old Jody Scotece for investigation of first-degree theft. Gregory says the woman initially said she had permission to withdraw the money to repair her truck and buy items including a 47-inch television. The spokesman says Scotece returned about $4,500.