A Florida woman accused of repeatedly gaining the trust of elderly residents before stealing money or financial information is back in custody after an hours-long standoff with Broward County deputies.
Jamisha Shamari Sylvain, 27, was arrested September 14 in Deerfield Beach after the Broward Sheriff’s Office Burglary Apprehension Team tracked her to an apartment. NBC 6 South Florida reported that SWAT officers and crisis negotiators responded after Sylvain and another person refused to leave the residence.
Sylvain had previously been arrested in December 2025 following an investigation into allegations that she posed as a caregiver or other trusted professional to gain access to older residents. She was released from jail in May 2026, and detectives later identified at least two new cases involving similar accusations.
Her latest jail booking includes charges involving grand theft, burglary, organized fraud and criminal use of personal identification information. The accusations have not resulted in convictions, and Sylvain is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
A $1,600 Loss Started the Investigation
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said its investigation began in October 2025 after an elderly resident at the B’nai B’rith apartments in Deerfield Beach reported being financially exploited.
Detectives said a woman presented herself as a caregiver and persuaded the man to let her into his apartment. Sylvain was later identified as the suspect, and investigators accused her of accessing his bank card and making several withdrawals totaling $1,600.
As detectives examined the case, they found reports involving other elderly residents. Authorities said Sylvain sometimes claimed she had been assigned as a new caregiver through a victim’s health insurance company.
A Blind Woman Was Approached While Holding Her Mail
One arrest report described a September 27, 2025 encounter with an elderly woman who is blind. Local 10 reported that Sylvain allegedly approached the woman outside her apartment while she was holding mail and offered to help read it.
The woman eventually allowed Sylvain inside, where deputies said she was asked for personal information including her Social Security number. Sylvain allegedly told her that her debit card needed to be canceled and later accompanied her by bus to a TD Bank branch to make changes to the account.
The victim subsequently received correspondence showing that a Capital One credit card had been opened in her name even though she had not applied for it. Investigators also said a telephone number was opened using her identity.
A 78-Year-Old With Dementia Was Taken to a Bank Three Times
Another investigation began after a man contacted deputies on November 25 with his 78-year-old mother, who has dementia. Her son, who held power of attorney, had discovered unusual cash withdrawals.
Detectives said the woman was taken to a Chase Bank on November 17, 18 and 22 and withdrew a combined $1,718. Sylvain allegedly accompanied her while pretending to be her granddaughter.
A bank employee later identified Sylvain in a photo lineup. During a December interview with detectives, she acknowledged entering the woman’s apartment to help her and taking her to the bank to withdraw money, according to the arrest report.
Detectives Identified New Cases After Her Release
Sylvain was booked into jail on December 19, 2025, on charges that included occupied burglary, elderly exploitation, criminal use of personal identification information, theft of a credit card and grand theft involving a victim 65 or older.
After her release in May, detectives said they identified at least two additional cases. In one, Sylvain allegedly targeted a resident at The Pointe at Deerfield Beach Senior Living while posing as the building manager and stole a debit card, credit cards and cash.
She was also scheduled for a court appearance on September 10 but did not attend, according to WSVN. Four days later, deputies conducting surveillance watched Sylvain and another person enter an apartment in the 5200 block of Northeast Fifth Terrace.
Authorities said the pair refused to come outside. SWAT officers and crisis negotiators responded, and both eventually exited peacefully after several hours. The second person, identified as Deja Boynton, was later released.
Families Should Verify Unexpected Caregivers Before Letting Them Inside
BSO recommends independently confirming the identity, credentials and references of anyone who unexpectedly claims to be a caregiver or aide before allowing that person into an older resident’s home or giving them access to financial information.
Families can contact the healthcare provider, insurance company, senior living facility or agency that supposedly assigned the worker using contact information obtained independently. A telephone number or identification supplied by the visitor should not be the only source used for verification.
Bank statements and credit reports should also be reviewed for unfamiliar withdrawals, newly opened accounts or other changes. Additional monitoring can be especially useful when an older adult has dementia, impaired vision or another condition that makes financial records more difficult to manage without assistance.
Anyone in Broward Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction who believes they or someone they know may have been targeted in a similar case can contact BSO at 954-764-4357. Suspicious cards or accounts should also be reported promptly to the relevant financial institution so additional transactions can be blocked when possible.