ENOCHVILLE – A caregiver for an 80-year-old man whose wife was hospitalized to have surgery was charged with breaking into the couple’s safe and stealing items from it.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Bettina Deann Beam, 55, of the 8400 block of Aqua Lane, Kannapolis, with felony larceny and two counts of felony safecracking. She remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.

Rowan officials began investigating on March 3 after being called to 8228 Smith Road. Ada Helms said she left home on March 1 to have surgery at the hospital. She asked Beam to stay at her home to assist in caring for Helms’ husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Beam had regularly assisted with caring for the man in the past by doing routine household chores.

Investigators said when Helms returned home on March 2, she noticed several areas that she had locked were unlocked. Her prescription pain medication was missing, and two safes had been opened and the contents taken.