A DeKalb County jury today returned a guilty verdict against Bobbie Ward, a former Cedar Grove Middle School secretary who exploited several disabled adults and elderly people. Ward, 50, was convicted on 21 of 25 counts against her.

The 25-count indictment includes abuse and exploitation of disabled adults, identity fraud, forgery, false imprisonment, and neglect and exploitation of an elderly person. One count of aggravated assault and one count of disabled adult abuse were severed from the indictment, which contained 27 counts, by Judge Tangela Barrie prior to the start of the trial. Ward will face those charges at a later date.

"We see so many cases of our elders and disabled adults being abused through various tactics," said District Attorney Robert James. "Bobbie Ward actively preyed on our most vulnerable citizens. I applaud the work of our Elder Abuse & Exploitation Unit for their work with this case. Justice was served today in DeKalb County."

Ward took money from a disabled victim¹s bank account, and used the Social Security Numbers of several disabled victims to set up utilities at 12 homes in DeKalb. She was also convicted of housing disabled and elderly victims in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and unlawfully confining an elderly man against his will. Ward also used deceased victim¹s information to set up utility services at two of the addresses.

Sentencing has not been scheduled.