Family members of 81-year-old Josephine Bell, of St. Clair Shores, say her young roommates took advantage of her and stole thousands of dollars from you bank account.

Jim Campagna, a cousin of Bell's says the man and woman accused in the incident moved into the home to help take care of Bell, but they helped themselves to much more.

"The more things went on, as time passed, you start wondering what's going on, then you find out they were taking advantage of her," said Campagna.

He told Local 4's Roger Weber he believes his cousin is out more than $20,000 dollars in stolen money and credit card debt.

The family says most of the purchases were for car parts and repair equipment. Neighbors had even complained the police that it looked like a car repair business was being run out of Bell's driveway.

"They trashed this house, and they trashed her, they didn't take care of her" said Campagna.

Bell is now in a rehab facility after spending 12 days in the hospital for dehydration. She told her cousin that when it came to her money she trusted the man in her home and she wasn't worried.

Bell's cousin eventually changed the locks on the home to keep the roommate out.

The state has investigated the case, but took no action and said the case was closed. Now the family is going to try and see what they can do to get her money back.