A St. Louis man has been charged with stealing more than $735,000 from a retired teacher while serving as her power of attorney, according to authorities.

The accused allegedly misappropriated the funds for personal expenses, including purchases on adult entertainment platforms and life coaching services, as well as property acquisitions.

The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals who grant power of attorney privileges to trusted individuals for managing their financial affairs. Power of attorney arrangements allow designated persons to make financial and legal decisions on behalf of someone else, typically when they are unable to do so themselves.

Authorities have not released additional details about how the alleged theft was discovered or the timeline of the alleged criminal activity. The retired teacher's current condition and the full scope of the financial damages remain unclear.

The case is part of a broader pattern of financial crimes targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals with substantial assets who rely on others to manage their affairs.