How Can I Locate A "stolen" Elderly Relative?

[mrs_overall]

In March I posted about my 93 year old aunt who has advanced cancer and was discharged from hospital with a care package in place, which seemed to have been working. I live over 100 miles away so my input has not been great but another much younger aunt has been taking care of things. My good for nothing cousin, the only child of the 93 year old has had nothing to do with her mother since Christmas. My younger aunt rang my cousin and told her to get her finger out as younger aunt was going away for a much needed holiday.
Anyway, younger aunt has returned from holiday to find a letter from my cousin saying she has put the 93 year old in a home (not local) and has got rid of her flat & possessions. The cousin has cleared off to live in France!
Younger aunt is going frantic as she cannot find out where her sister is. A check of all local nursing homes and the GP have found nothing.
Any suggestions?

[EDDIE51]

The police must be informed of this urgently. At risk of being over dramatic there has almost certainly been a crime committed here.
So many questions, how is the care homes being funded for a start , they are not cheap. What about the flat was it sold or just the lease given up, how could it happen so fast ? How long was the younger aunt away, week month longer ?

[RATTER15]

Put her full name into google, it may well find her on an electoral roll, I know I put in details of any of my residents ir comes up with their details and home address along with the others that live in the home.

[ummmm]

How long was your Aunt on holiday?

[mrs_overall]

I have enlisted the help of one of my brothers who is a (road traffic) policeman. He is going to contact social services

The flat was a council flat and enquiries with the council have been negative.
It is only a couple of years ago my aunt sold her house and moved into the flat and I know that at the time she made my cousin joint signatory on all her bank/building society accounts

[friedgreentomato]

How long was she on holiday for - surely you cannot sell a flat in 2 weeks?

[friedgreentomato]

ahh sorry just seen that it is a council flat - still seems very strange

[brandyrose]

I wouldn't rule out a Private I - some small firms around and have their ways. Will tell you if they cant help too - & might not cost alot.
Does she get a pension ?
May be linked to where she now is ref- her financial needs etc., and police could easily get this checked or at least know how you can find out.
If the lady has memory loss she wont have a clue whats going on and may be telling people she doesn't want people to know where she is.
I'd also go with the police advice.. hope she's safe and you find her. Poor sweeie. Police will also smell a rat it (hopefully) if anything illegal happening re her assets - all might be above board but this whole saga sounds suspicious and cold.

[mazie]

Surely someone would have to have handed the keys back to the Local Council mrs_o ?

[mrs_overall]

mazie, yes my cousin did.

[boxtops]

what about the local district nursing service? They would know if they are going in to see her. The GP ought to know too, as if she's been transferred to a new GP, they will have received a request to transfer the notes.

[ummmm]

How long was your aunt on holiday?

[grasscarp]

If it were me, I would get all the information I could from the new owners of the property. They, or their solicitors, should have information on the cousin's address or phone number. Finding the cousin would be my priority. Best of luck.

[mazie]

If your cousin has put your Aunt in a home, would she (your cousin) be likely to pay privately? I doubt she would from what you've said....Then the Council must know where she is.. Good Luck with it mrs_o and keep us posted please. xx

[mrs_overall]

boxtops, the GP has no info.
Younger aunts daughter (another of my cousins but a decent one) works at the GP surgery so she is keeping an eye open for any info that may come in

[mrs_overall]

Younger aunt was away for 2 weeks

[boxtops]

Dreadful situation, mrs O - I hope you find her. How awful too, that all her possesions are gone - your aunt might have wanted you to have mementoes.

[RATTER15]

Did you try Googling her name?

[mrs_overall]

boxtops, I am not materialistic but I always had my eye on a small Toby jug that I used to play with at my aunts house when I was tiny. It had no financial value but having it would have meant the world to me.
Knowing my cousin she will have had a house clearance firm in....

[mrs_overall]

ratter, yes I have Googled her name and that drew a blank

[ummmm]

Were social services involved with your older aunt?