A Leesburg woman has been convicted of exploiting an elderly widow and stealing approximately $350,000 after gaining power of attorney over the victim, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced.
Kimberly Ruth Bitting was convicted on multiple felony charges following a prosecution by the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution. Authorities said Bitting abused her position of trust to withdraw money from the victim’s accounts, transfer investment funds and purchase property for herself.
According to investigators, Bitting obtained power of attorney over her elderly neighbor shortly after the woman’s husband died in August 2021. Over the following 15 to 18 months, prosecutors said Bitting wrote numerous checks from the victim’s accounts to herself and others, made repeated ATM withdrawals and transferred money from investment accounts.
Prosecutors said more than $137,000 of the victim’s money was used to purchase two parcels of land in Calhoun County. The properties were placed in a trust bearing Bitting’s name. Authorities said additional money went to Bitting’s daughter and a caregiver, with some of the payments described as compensation for services.
Evidence presented in the case also showed that Bitting restricted the widow’s communication with family members and controlled access to her home, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors said Bitting threatened to have the victim declared incompetent and committed.
The victim eventually left voluntarily, revoked Bitting’s power of attorney and moved to New York to live with her sister. According to prosecutors, Bitting later reported the woman’s departure as a kidnapping.
Bitting was convicted of three first-degree felony counts of elderly exploitation involving breach of power of attorney, abuse of a position of trust or confidence, and negligent or intentional misuse of the victim’s assets. She was also convicted of a third-degree felony count of cashing or depositing an item with intent to defraud.
“This defendant systematically exploited a vulnerable senior widow grieving the loss of her husband, abusing a power of attorney to drain her life savings, purchase property for herself, and isolate her from family,” Uthmeier said. He also credited the Leesburg Police Department and prosecutors involved in the case.
Bitting’s daughter, Ashton Silvis, was also charged in the case and entered an open plea shortly before trial. She and Bitting are awaiting sentencing.
Another co-defendant, Lara Larsen, who worked as a caregiver for the victim, testified for the prosecution. The Attorney General’s Office said her cooperation played an important role in securing the conviction.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Taylor Chatting and Special Counsel Ana Sacco prosecuted the case after being designated special assistant state attorneys by Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson.
