The elderly couple is looked after by three private caregivers. Sometime in the past few days, a valuable diamond ring has disappeared off of my mother-in-law's finger. She is currently on medication which has her left in somewhat of a stupor and she would not be able to provide any details. One caregiver called to say the ring had gone missing. We are out of state and not sure how to handle. We suspect it was stolen by one of the three caregivers. My mother-in-law cannot go anywhere without assistance and has not been out of the condo. The ring never leaves her finger.
Have you asked your FIL? I would at least do that before making accusations to the police.
If in fact one of the caregivers did take it.... then file charges.. do not let this go... it will go on a background check..... Elders are vulnerable enough without someone stealing from them... please keep us updated....
I would recommend you personally go to go over her house with a fine tooth comb before saying that the ring was taken. Meaning going through all her clothes, even her shoes, checking around the bedding, under the bed, mattress, checking all her dresser draws, if there are throw rugs look under those rugs, check all the jewelry boxes, hat boxes, pill bottles [good hiding place]. Even look each inch in the kitchen.
In fact, since Dad-in-law has Alzheimer's maybe he put it away for safe keeping.
Nothing valuable should EVER be left unprotected in a situation like this.
Ladee.
If the police do anything, it would be to interview the caregivers, which will likely make them feel embarrassed, wrongly accused and resentful. They might even ask for different assignments, and I wouldn't blame them.
It bothers me when someone jumps to a conclusion that the "hired help" is guilty of something just because it can't be found.
My mom in her 3rd (& last) yr in IL was constantly being "robbed"......the reality was she'd fall asleep & the rings (& watches) would slip off and embed themselves in furniture or under the span of her rocker. For more fun, she would unscrew flashlights and take the batteries out and hide jewelry & $ in them.
Really if they have anything valuable or special you need to go ahead and give it to family now.