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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said two women were arrested after deputies found a woman dead and recovered items stolen from her.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said on Feb. 3 around 11:15 p.m., Edith Avery reported to 911 that a 66-year-old woman was dead in a home. According to the sheriff’s office, Avery and Cristy Baker were “self-described as the caretakers” for the woman.
When deputies arrived on the scene, Avery said she found the woman around 8 p.m. but had trouble getting in touch with 911.
FCSO said the victim appeared to be in poor health and “had been neglected of basic hygiene cleaning.” The sheriff’s office also said it seemed as if several items had been taken from the house.
Deputies then found items in a bag that belonged to Avery and she was arrested and taken to the Franklin County Detention Center. Once there, correctional officers also found methamphetamine on her person.
The sheriff’s office also said a debit card belonging to the victim was missing from the home. It was later found out that it had been used at an ATM in Russellville.
FCSO said Baker was caught on camera getting money out of that very ATM, and Baker and Avery took out $200 from the machine. The department said this would’ve been after the victim had reportedly died.
Baker was also arrested, and deputies said she still had the debit card in her possession as well as some additional items from the victim’s residence.
The department said it is believed that the woman died before 8 p.m., the time Avery reported to authorities. After finding the woman had died, FCSO said Avery and Baker started stealing items and money before reporting the woman to 911.

Baker was charged with second-degree elder abuse, drug paraphernalia and attempted financial exploitation of an elderly person. Her bond is set at $10,000.

Avery was charged with possession of a controlled substance, two counts of first-offense drug paraphernalia, expired tag, promoting prison contraband, second-degree theft of property, second-degree elder abuse and drunk/addict in possession of a firearm
According to the Franklin County Sheriff, deputies responded to the home of the woman earlier that day for a welfare check. During that check, the deputy who responded said the woman was coherent, alert and was talking normally.
The sheriff said the deputy went back to the home later that evening to find the woman dead.