US woman brutally assaults 83-year-old employer for not getting Christmas bonus: 'Grinch!'

UPDATED: Jan 13, 2025 23:16 IST

A Florida housekeeper was arrested on Christmas Eve after allegedly assaulting and robbing her 83-year-old employer when the elderly woman told her she could not afford to pay the $500 Christmas bonus the employee demanded, Fox News has reported.

Heather Nelson, 29, reportedly became enraged after the victim explained that she did not have enough money to fulfill the request, the report said.

According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Nelson physically assaulted the elderly woman, "wrenching the victim’s checkbook from her hand" and stealing a check from it. In what authorities described as an attempt to ruin other people's holidays, Nelson also took Christmas cards from the victim that were meant to be mailed out, each containing checks.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey condemned Nelson's actions, calling her a "Grinch" for the violent outburst. "I guess committing battery and almost breaking the wrist of the elderly victim wasn't bad enough so you decide to steal all her money and take Christmas gifts that were meant for others away as well!! What’s next...kick her dog?" Ivey said in a statement.

The investigation revealed that after the attack, Nelson used the stolen check to write a forged $1,400 payment and made several purchases with the victim's credit card, including paying her own rent.

The elderly victim, who had her wrist nearly broken in the incident, was left traumatized.

Authorities arrested Nelson on Tuesday after the stolen check cleared and the credit card transactions were processed. She faces multiple charges, including robbery by sudden snatching, aggravated battery on a person over 65, forgery, and grand theft, among others.

Nelson was booked into custody with a $30,000 bond, though she was released on Thursday. Sheriff Ivey added a sarcastic remark about the arrest, sqyint, "And of course since you were so worried about getting your bonus, we had some extra gifts for you like a keepsake booking photo, a slightly used pair of shower slides, and unlimited access to our world famous one star dining facility where you can enjoy absolutely nothing you eat."

Nelson's actions have drawn widespread outrage, with many criticizing her for taking advantage of the elderly woman during the holiday season.