LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The man accused of stealing an elderly woman’s home in a quitclaim deed transfer has turned himself into Louisville police.

In June, Dorothy Tarpin, 89, was shocked to learn the Parkland home she lived in for more than 50 years had been taken from her without her knowledge. She also learned someone was claiming she had died.

On Thursday, Russell Cheatham, of Scottsburg, Ind, was booked into the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.

He is charged with second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument and theft of identity of another without consent.

“Title fraud is too easy; how did this happen?” Metro Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins (District 1) said. “Forged deeds can be filed with little oversight. Elders and long-term homeowners are prime target for this k

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