Worker's alleged theft at senior center caught on video
HILLSBORO, Ore. – Detectives arrested an 18-year-old Hillsboro man who they said stole money from a resident’s room at a senior living center.
The suspect, James M. Eldridge, was an employee at the Rosewood Specialty Care senior living center in Hillsboro.
Washington County sheriff’s detectives got a tip last month that someone was stealing cash from a resident’s room. With the unidentified resident’s permission, they set up a surveillance camera in the room and recorded Eldridge stealing money.
Eldridge was arrested on Feb. 6. He has since been fired from his job as a general helper at the center. He did not provide medical services to residents, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. David Thompson.
Eldridge was taken to the Washington County Jail. He faces charges of criminal mistreatment and theft.
This is very upsetting. My mom was a resident at Rosewood and the staff were wonderful. But her wedding ring did go missing around the same time.....I am following up with the policy.  It is sad that anyone would take advantage of these people. I would still recommend Roswood for families that are looking to place their love ones. 99% of the staff are loving and wonderful. This one bad apple should not taint the reputaion of this facility.
This comment by the mother of James should not be lost. I will keep towards the top as long as it's OK with her.Â
KEldridge1313Â 9 pts
 im his mother and he did donate his own time and give freely of himself ,a boyscout for many years, a young marine in california for 3 years where he has earned several awards for all his time collecting for toys for tots,, helping volunteer at all the air shows, hillsboro included. Used to always help the SOLVE program every year planting trees. My son stole less than $50 that had been planted by the police, because he is an 18yr old boy trying to live on his own without asking for help. Bad choice?? YES VERY! embarrassed? you have no idea what this kid is going through in jail for the first time in his life and terrified. He was a straight A student and by the way EMPLOYEE of the month when this happened. Even the family of the victim thought about recanting because my son has ALWAYS showed so much love care and respect taking care of these people. He wanted to head towards a medical career. He went to every resident who has passed since he started working there's funerals and cried side by side with these families. My son is NOT NOR WILL HE EVER BE A PUNK! Hes a kid that made a bad choice. I wish I was so perfect to point the finger but im human and have made my fair share.
 My son has more sorrow in his heart right now, shaming not only himself but his entire family. You have no idea. You saw a speck of a galaxy that is my son. believe me no one can beat him up for this more than himself. Despite his hard times HE LOVED every resident he cared for. Ask ANY family there, ask any one of his bosses or co-workers. Its easy to bash behind a screen. but none of you know who you are bashing. Hopefully you will NEVER have to know my pain!
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 @Dava So what did he need the money for...??
@BarbWire @KEldridge1313 @The Resistance do you know James? Because its pretty pathetic that a grown ass woman has nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon than pick on a misguided kid. He made a mistake and he deserves to pay for it, but he hardly needs a bitter old hag to rub his mistakes in the faces of his friends and family. Especially one who does to escape from her own empty and meaningless life. In short you are a waste of space. Their are insects who contribute more to the world than you. Now unless you have something constructive to add, go crawl back into whatever hole you mustered the energy to pull yourself out of and let the grown ups handle from here.
@Dick Ticker ---- defending the un defendable. He faces charges of criminal mistreatment and theft. Liberals like you are responsible for the catch and release of criminals who later go on to commit more serious crimes. Go on with your name calling, the man is shameful. He should go Rosewood and apologize to every one of the residents.
@The Resistance And he absolutely should apologize. I am sure he will. At some point, it is going to sink in what he did, and he's going to feel terrible. I hope that this is the most important lesson he learns and I believe getting caught doing this will be what saves hi, from becoming a person he doesn't want to be.
@The Resistance And what would you recommend since you have all the answers? Keep half of the nation in jail for lesser misdemeanors? Kid stole $40, DEATH SENTENCE. Be a little more realistic. I bet he won't even even use take-a-pennies after this! He's probably scared shitless. He's a boy who stole cash, not a 40-year-old robbing a bank. Calm down. Just because we believe that the punishment should fit the crime or that it's the legal system's job to punish him and not the Internet's, doesn't mean we are saying let him off scott-free, and it's ignorant for you to say that it does.
What was next for this kid, sexually molesting the residents? I wouldn't be surprised if he said this was the first time he's done this. This goes on all the time at care facilities like this. Busted sucker, be ashamed. I saw an 82 year old in another story that could kick your butt. Good luck finding a job.
@The Resistance That's just an entirely outlandish thing to say. Stealing and sexual assault are hardly the same thing to normal people. It makes me wonder what's going on in your mind that would make you go there right away. Maybe you can keep your strange, perverted fantasies that have absolutely no factual grounds to yourself....
@Miranda --- Ah, you fail to see the obvious connection, low life preying on the elderly and defenseless. If he's such a good kid why was he stealing from those who trusted him. You are the perverted one. You probably want him to get a slap on the hand and say, " poor Jimmy, you made an error in judgement, don't do it again". Oh please, he's been stealing and would have continued if he hadn't been caught. It cost a lot of money to live in just the basic care facility and then you have a petty little crook taking what little personal money they have.
@The Resistance IT'S JAMES Does it make you feel big to pass judgment on a kid you can't remember the name of? I agree with almost half of what you said, but the other half is so misguided that I'm sorry to say I can't meet you half way. I'm glad we can agree that JAMES will hopefully learn from this mistake and become a better person by it. That's what it's all supposed to be about, not about burning witches.
@Miranda ---- i stand by my statement. Jimmy has a chance to turn his life around, I hope he does that.
@The Resistance If you were paying attention at all you would see that I, again, DO NOT think there is any excuse for this behavior. It's deplorable. These are helpless, elderly people and they deserve caretakers they can trust. Stealing is 100% wrong which is why we have Laws and law enforcement to deal with it. Your comment was completely unnecessary. You have no reason to say something like stealing. It's an enormous leap. It's borderline slanderous and there's simply no reason to say it. He is facing the law and the community now, he doesn't need a bunch of idiots going around saying "he probably burns buildings and rapes people too!" Honestly, what is wrong with you? I am completely convinced that never getting a job again, being scrutinized, disappointing his family, and paying his debt to the law for what crimes he has ACTUALLY commited, is enough. I don't understand why that isn't enough for YOU. It seems like you just want there to be more, and that sickens me.
 @The Resistance try reading about the kid you are bashing. you know nothing of his life or how valued he really was at his job. call rosewood and ask ANY person there
 @KEldridge1313  @The Resistance We did read about the kid that is being bashed, and I am sure they valued the fact that he was stealing from clients. Why are you defending this little creep? was he sharing the stolen money with you?Â
@BarbWire @KEldridge1313 ----Extra likes.
@BarbWire @KEldridge1313 @The Resistance Hmm maybe the name Eldrige didn't key you in?
This elderly man obviously realized he was being stolen from.  Now what I have in my home or as in this mans case his room, this is your place.  The belongings inside our not for others to steal.  If you have whatever laying about in your place it should never be to much of a temptation not to take. Right and Wrong it is just that simple.  He is plenty old enough to know the difference.  Young and dumb, sure I get that saying, it's meant to mean that they think they know about life, only to find out later how confused they really were.  This goes beyond young and dumb.  Here's a small list of things teens do when they are going the wrong direction.  If you are into doing one, my guess is some of the others are right along in there too. Vandalizing, stealing, drugs, drinking, smoking, fighting, loitering, violence.  My family personally would be considering some other possible issues the kid might have.  Something is behind it, and it is more than young and dumb.  Other residents and or their families should be taking some inventory of their belongings.  To zero in on only one person is most likely not the case. Â
I am sure everyone is going to have a hard time with this, but James isn't a monster. He did something horrible and the fact that we can all watch it on a loop all day if we want doesn't help much. But James is a fundamentally good person. My jaw dropped when I heard that this kid, who was patient with our autistic son and other children, conversational and funny, always ready to help a friend, who stayed away from many of the things his friends were getting involved in, was even capable of this. Up until now, he was completely trustworthy. I can honestly say I didn't believe it. James is a genuine person who, for the most part, has stayed out if trouble despite MANY chances to do otherwise. It is so horrible to know that he has done this. It has broken the hearts of so many members in our community. His friends, family, coworkers, and former teachers are all devastated to know that he gave in when the forbidden fruit was too sweet. He will be living with the consequences of this for the rest of his adult life, which, I may add, has just begun. I do not want to make excuses for this. It was wrong on a deep, deep level. I was saying many of the same things I've read in this thread at first. But in the end, I believe he is a good person, and all I want for him is to find his way again. And when you sit at your computers, safe behind your keyboard and say "he is nothing," "he's a waste of life," etc., not only are you coaxing him down this bad path, you are simply wrong. He is still a person, and we are all flawed. He did something very, VERY wrong. He deserves his punishment by the law, but he doesn't deserve your cruelty and one-sided judgement for your own entertainment. If you had done this, James wouldn't have been on here saying these terrible things about you.
 @Miranda No, I'm not having a hard time with this.  Seems disgustingly clear to me.  Stealing a pack of smokes from 7-11 = dumb kid mistake.  Repeatedly stealing money from a helpless, elderly person = the lowest of the low.  That's not a "oops" that's a basic failing in your morality and ethical judgement. Â
@'CouvGuy Stealing is stealing. It's equally wrong to do to anyone under any circumstance. But your ethical judgment is failing if you think that's the worst thing a person can do, and it's honestly just silly and pointless to pretend like he deserves death. He doesn't. He deserves to have path forcibly straightened out by some jail time, some community service, whatever else goes with a low misdemeanor. I would say this of anyone who did something wrong out of character. It's just the correct way to think of it. We can't just go around beheading every kid who makes their first real noteworthy mistake, even when it is this bad. He still has an ENTIRE life to live. It's unrealistic to expect him to suffer everyday of it over this. What's ironic is that he will anyway because its the kind of person he is.
@Miranda Don't put words in my mouth....I never once said he "deserved death".  What I did say is that the decision to prey on a helpless elderly person was a basic failing in his moral structure.  I stand by that statement.
 @Miranda No one is perfect and EVERYONE makes mistakes. I have yet to meet anyone who hasn't done something they regret at one time or another in their life.
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Hopefully the authorities and his friends and family will take this opportunity to help James get his life back on the right track. It is possible and with plenty of help from everyone who says they really care for this young man, he has a much greater chance of succeeding and having this possible expunged from his record.
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 @Mikey  @Miranda Stealing a pack of smokes from 7-11 = dumb kid mistake.  Repeatedly stealing money from a helpless, elderly person = the lowest of the low.  Paint it as pretty as you like, this isn't a minor thing.....
@'CouvGuy @Mikey @Miranda --- extra likes.
 @Miranda If you trust him so much why isn't he still taking care of your autistic son? I am sure so many hearts are broken because a criminal has been arrested. and I am sure James is such a goody too shoes he has never spoken an unkind word about anyone, you need to grow up and accept the fact that he is guilty and stop making excuses for him.Â
@BarbWire @Miranda --- it is often said that thieves are confidence men. Gain your trust then steal you blind. Now the honest helpers that come after Jimmy will be suspect. Congratulations Jimmy, your dishonest act will now have an affect another's employment.
@Miranda --- how does "It's James you prick" fit on his arrest papers. I don't think there's enough spaces. Does his friends shorten his name to Prick?
@The Resistance It's James, you prick.
@BarbWire Hmm I want to reply to you, but I am not sure you actual read my comment before replying to it, so I will speak with you when you aren't on this thread to pick fights and select which parts of posts you want to read, and which you want to ignore for fun. This isn't a game. This is a young man's life and future. I am not making excuses for him, I am simply urging narrow-minded, people like you who feel that "angry mob" behavior can ever solve anything to remember that James is a young man and a human full of all the same complexities and ethical problems as any of us. And no he did not care for our son, but he is a loving and compassionate person and I would still trust him. He will get nowhere from the world turning a cold shoulder on him though I'm sure you lack the capacity to understand that.
I also made a BIG point about how he should not just get away with it. He deserves to experience the full wrath of the law. But the law doesn't say he is to forevermore be treated like garbage. And I'm glad the law is there to protect his victim and to protect him from people like you who think stealing money is suddenly the same as murder.
*trust him to an extent
 @BarbWire  @Miranda she never said he took care of him. You need to read her comment again.Â
 @BarbWire  @Miranda " patient with our autistic son"
maybe he was friends with the child, maybe he is part if the family and hung out with the autistic child?Â
 @Dava  @Miranda  My jaw dropped when I heard that this kid, who was patient with our autistic son " either he worked with him or maybe James is special needs?
 @Miranda The only thing that will be acceptable is for him to own up to his mistake and spend every waking moment working to make restitution to All the Victims, his Family and Friends included. He has a long road to restore the Communities faith in him and it will not be easy but then if it was it would never build Character, Maturity or Humility, Society will let him know when he has paid his debt.
@swede760 I absolutely agree that he needs to pay his dues now.He has done some serious wrong here. But I don't agree that these sharks here on the Internet get to decide when he's done that or decide what kind of person he is just by watching a ten second video. It definitely says a lot about him, but it doesn't say everything.
@Miranda Thank you, it is so rare that I am called Decent or Level Headed.
@swede760 It is so rare to encounter a decent, level-headed person on the Internet.
 @Miranda As difficult as it is I do try to see both sides. I am not attacking James because I am sure the rest of the people here will do that aside from those like you defending him. I am just pointing out what is happening and how he can redeem himself. This is a very hard lesson for him and I truely hope that he learns the right things from it.
@BarbWire @swede760 I absolutely know that he will struggle with ever finding another job. That's the first thing I said. I mean duh. And of course that's the first YOU are going to think. I can see that's the type of person you are. And I guess that's the type of person I am too because you've made quite the first impression on me.
 @Miranda  @swede760 Have you ever heard of First Impressions? that is exactly what happens in a job interview, so it will be forever in our minds that is nothing more then a little thief who steals from the elderly.Â
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Dava, thank you for sticking up for him.
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-Sherice
 @whitegirl Stick up for him all you want he is still stole from an elderly person.Â
@BarbWire @whitegirl Barb, must be right since she is just apparently a little angel who has never done wrong. Grow up. I bet a few videos of things you have done would zip those lips right up.
@Miranda --- Seriously, what did he need the money for that would cause him to violate the trust of employer, patients, family and friends?
 @BarbWire BarbWire is a troll. She can be safely ignored.
 @BarbWire  @whitegirl Not sticking up for him, but call it whatever you want. We are here to support his family. We are here to let him know that no matter what people say, he will get past this...he will find his way again. THIS does not define who he is.Â
Maybe you should actually know the whole situation before you start to say how horrible he is. He acutally isn't a horrible person, he is just dumb and made a mistake. Don't act like you have never made mistakes, you just never got caught. And secondly the camera was hidden in a clock, so no he didn't know.
 @whitegirl "....And secondly the camera was hidden in a clock, so no he didn't know...."
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Whoa, thanks for totally clearing that up. Â Guess if there wouldn't have been a camera it would have been OK? Â Or, if he'd have known there was a camera, he'd have waited until there wasn't a camera to prey on this basically helpless old man?
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Epic fail, whitegirl....
@'CouvGuy @whitegirl you're a little slow, huh? She was responding to jpk down there when she said that. That's all. And no. I wouldn't feel any different if it were my family member. James is still James, the situation is the same. He is not a predatory thief, but I know how much it entertains you to think so so ill just let you keep it. You would feel different if it were your son. I'd bet $ on that.
@Miranda No, honestly, if it were my son I'd feel the same as I do now.  Don't put words in my mouth....there's nothing 'entertaining' about this situation.  What is surprising and disgusting at the same time is how quickly people jump in to defend, to excuse, to rationalize what this kid did.  He CHOSE to steal from perhaps one of the most vulnerable classes in society, and did it more than once.  Perhaps lots more than once.  That makes him a predatory thief in my book.
 @whitegirl what exactly is the whole situation???? that he was stealing from an elderly person? hope he enjoys his time in jail
@BarbWire if this was your child or your brother or boyfriend or friend, would you like it if people bashed on him? when they no NOTHING ABOUT HIM OR HOW HE IS?! i think not. why don't you people have anything better to do with your time then hurt the loved ones of james. he is actually an amazing guy. stopo acting like you never did anything wrong. yeah what he did wasn't called for, trust me is breaks my heart knowing he did this but does that give you the right to point fingers? why don't you worry about you and your family and stop causing pain to people who actually knows him.  Yes i know james and i wouldnt trade him for the world. he is an amazing guy and this was just a bump in the road. doesn't mean he the devil doesnt mean he is a horrible person. so just leave it be. this has nothing to do with your concern. just leave the family alone and stop causing pain cause i know if it were someone dear to you, you would be totally looking at it in another view.... sooo leave it at that. and please do something better with your life
 @whitegirl I've never ripped off a defenseless elder person....My conscience is completely clear.  How about you?
@'CouvGuy @BarbWire  before you point fingers make sure your hands are clean.
@'CouvGuy @BarbWire I am not at all saying that, that family isn't in pain. I'm just saying, why hurt his family and loved ones also? two wrongs don't make a right. I'm done talking to you people but you should really find something better to do with your life then bash on people.
 @whitegirl  @BarbWire My guess is that if he'd have left the old guy alone and not been a predatory thief in the first place, he and the family would have been left alone.  What you are seeing here is "karma".  It's what happens when a decent person with a bright future chooses to wipe his hind quarters with every good deed he may have done, and prey on perhaps the most vulnerable in society, for their own personal gain.  He is responsible for his own actions.  Period.
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My guess is that if he'd have been ripping off your family, your disabled relative, you'd feel very differently.  It's easy to be magnanimous and forgiving when it's someone else that has the bear the pain....