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Thomas Glenn North (Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office)

WOODSTOCK, Ga. – A man will spend a decade in prison after police say he stole more than $1.3 million from his elderly mother’s bank account.

At a hearing in September, Thomas Glenn North III, 64, pleaded guilty to 37 charges, including one count of neglect of a disabled, adult or elderly person; 1 count of exploitation and intimidation of a disabled, adult or elderly person; and 35 counts of theft by taking.

Authorities say they began their investigation into North after a family member discovered that the victim’s assisted living facility was evicting her because she had not paid rent.

According to evidence provided by prosecutors during the hearing, North had power of attorney for his mother and withdrew $1.35 million from her bank account and trust fund over three years.

“At a vulnerable time in her life, the victim in this case relied on her son to act as her attorney-in-fact, with the expectation that he would safeguard her finances and well-being,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Rachel Hines of the Special Victims Unit, Prosecutor’s Office. “Instead, he brazenly took funds from a family trust, stole the proceeds from the sale of her home, and completely depleted her life savings, forcing her to rely on support from other family members.”

At the hearing, North’s sister told the court how the betrayal had deeply affected her mother’s physical and emotional support.

“Elder abuse takes many forms, including robbery. Unfortunately, this is often a crime that involves family members,” said District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway. “What is especially shocking about this case is that this defendant brazenly withdrew thousands of dollars on a regular basis until his mother was penniless and could no longer support herself. Her life savings were wiped out in three years “.

Following the guilty plea, a Superior Court judge sentenced North to 40 years, the first 10 in custody and the remainder on probation. North will also be required to return funds he took at a rate of $50,000 a year.

North is also prohibited from having any contact with her mother or other family members.