Ocean Springs woman accused of embezzling thousands from vulnerable adult

OCEAN SPRINGS -- An Ocean Springs woman has been arrested on charges accusing her of embezzling $91,000 from a vulnerable adult, according to Ocean Springs police Capt. William Jackson.

Ashley Ann Bandyk, 27, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of exploitation of a vulnerable adult. She is being held at the Ocean Springs jail on a $200,000 bond.

According to Jackson, Bandyk was hired by the victim to help him in his daily routine and to take care of his finances because of a medical condition he suffered that prevented him from taking care of the matters himself.

Bandyk, police said, set up a Pay Pal account with a fraudulent business name to transfer funds from the victim's personal accounts and convert the money to her own use.

The investigation began Nov. 2.

A vulnerable adult, according to state law, is defined as anyone who is impaired by a mental, emotional, physical or developmental disability or dysfunction or suffers from brain damage or other problems associated with aging. The maximum penalty is up to 40 years in prison.

Detective Sgt. Matthew Morvant investigated the case.

To report any information, call the Ocean Springs Police Department at 875-2211.

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 10:31 AM with the headline "Ocean Springs woman accused of embezzling thousands from vulnerable adult ."