In a shocking case from Florida, a 56-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from his late mother’s estate just days after her passing. The suspect, Thomas Frazzetto, is now facing serious charges for theft and forgery.
The Investigation Begins
The case started in December 2024, two months after Frazzetto’s mother, Janet Sterry, had died. Police were alerted after someone attempted to cash a suspicious cheque worth $51,200 from her account. This led the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office to open an investigation.
During the investigation, police found that Frazzetto had forged his mother’s signature on not just one, but four different cheques. Three of these cheques had already been successfully cashed shortly after her death.
Suspicious Transfers Before Her Death
Police also discovered that some of the money transfers took place just before Janet Sterry passed away. One of them was a $2,000 Zelle transfer, made just one day before her death. A family member claimed that Janet would have been too ill at that time to make such a transfer, suggesting it was done without her permission.
What Frazzetto Told the Police
When a detective called Frazzetto in December, he explained that his mother would sometimes give him signed cheques to run errands like buying medicine. He admitted to signing one cheque for $80 to pay the cleaning lady, claiming his mother had told him to do it.
He also mentioned that his aunt and stepbrother were the legal executors of his mother’s estate, and admitted he didn’t get along with his aunt.
However, when the detective contacted the cleaning lady, her story was different. She said she never received that cheque and didn’t clean the house during that time because Janet was in the hospital.
Video Evidence and Arrest
The investigation continued, and detectives found video footage showing Frazzetto withdrawing $600 twice from his mother’s account, even though he denied doing so. Based on all the evidence, police obtained an arrest warrant.
On June 18, 2025, Frazzetto was arrested and is now being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility with a $10,000 bond.
Sheriff’s Statement
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly strongly criticized Frazzetto’s actions, saying, “Stealing from a deceased family member is not only disgraceful, but it’s also criminal. Our detectives did a great job making sure this ‘son of the year’ will face justice.”
This case is a sad reminder of how some family disputes can turn into serious crimes, especially when money is involved.
Forging cheques and taking money from a late parent’s account is not only unethical but also illegal. Authorities acted after gathering strong evidence, including recorded phone calls and bank footage, and ensured that the accused would be held responsible.
